Dubai: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has inaugurated its first-ever international campus at Dubai International Academic City, part of TECOM Group PJSC.

The opening ceremony was led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Welcoming IIMA to Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the growing partnership between the UAE and India and the city’s vision for global education.
He said:
“Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, our city is fast emerging as a hub for exceptional students, talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The ambition of our youth drives Dubai’s future, and by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed in a rapidly evolving world, we empower them to lead with confidence. Dubai will continue to attract world-class universities as part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Education 33 Strategy, which aim to rank Dubai among the world’s top three urban economies and top 10 student cities by 2033.”

Attendees and Dignitaries

The event was attended by senior UAE leaders including Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; and Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, along with other senior officials.

Representing India were Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education; Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE; and senior IIMA officials.

A Milestone in India-UAE Knowledge Partnership

The Dubai Campus marks a joint vision of the Indian and Dubai governments, expanding IIMA’s international presence in management education. Designed with world-class infrastructure, the campus aims to provide global learning opportunities for aspiring leaders across the Middle East and beyond, while promoting cross-cultural academic exchange.

Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said:
“The inauguration of IIM Ahmedabad’s Dubai campus by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan is a significant step in the globalisation of Indian education. It represents a new milestone in the India-UAE knowledge partnership, bringing to life the ethos of being Indian in spirit, global in outlook.”

Initial Programmes and Future Plans

The campus has launched its first programme, a full-time one-year MBA, divided into five terms, offering rigorous academic training and international exposure. The inaugural batch includes 35 students (27 men and 8 women) from diverse professional fields such as banking, consulting, IT, manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services.

In its first year, the Dubai Campus will also establish two dedicated centres of excellence:

• A Case Writing and Development Centre
• A Start-up Incubation Centre
• Additional programmes are planned in the coming years to meet the evolving needs of global professionals and entrepreneurs.

Extending IIMA’s Global Footprint

Pankaj Patel, Chairperson of IIMA’s Board of Governors, said:
“The launch of IIMA’s first international campus in Dubai is a proud moment for Indian management education. By setting up in one of the world’s most dynamic hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship, IIMA is extending its global reach and reaffirming its commitment to preparing future-ready leaders who can thrive in an interconnected world.”