The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has inaugurated its first international campus at Dubai International Academic City, part of TECOM Group PJSC.
The 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.
Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the strengthening partnership between the UAE and India as he welcomed the esteemed institution.
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He stated, “Under the guidance of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, our city is swiftly becoming a prime destination for outstanding students and a global hub for talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The enthusiasm and ambition of our youth are key to Dubai’s future, and by providing them with essential knowledge, skills, and values in a dynamic international landscape, we empower them to lead with assurance.”
He further added, “Dubai continues to attract top-tier universities as part of our dedication to enhancing the higher education sector in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to rank Dubai among the top three urban economies worldwide, and the Education 33 Strategy, which aspires to place Dubai among the top 10 student cities by 2033. Through fostering a vibrant, multicultural educational environment, we are developing an education ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and prepares the next generation to create a brighter future for Dubai and the world.”
Key dignitaries from UAE and India attend
The launch event was graced by prominent UAE figures 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; Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education; among other senior officials.
From India, attendees included Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education, Government of India; Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE; and senior IIMA officials.
The IIMA Dubai Campus represents a collaborative vision of the Indian and Dubai governments, extending IIMA’s global impact in management education.
The campus aims to offer world-class learning experiences to aspiring leaders across the Middle East and beyond, promoting cross-cultural exchange and academic collaboration. With state-of-the-art facilities, it is designed to cater to students’ learning aspirations and needs.
Dharmendra Pradhan remarked, “The inauguration of the IIM Ahmedabad Dubai campus by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum marks another step in the globalisation of India’s education. A new milestone in India-UAE educational collaboration, Dubai serves as an ideal launchpad for the ethos of being Indian in spirit, global in outlook by hosting the IIM Ahmedabad international campus.”
Initial offerings
The Dubai Campus’s first program is a full-time one-year MBA, spanning five terms and designed for a rigorous academic journey and international exposure. The first cohort comprises 35 students—27 men and 8 women—hailing from diverse sectors such as banking, financial services, consulting, IT, manufacturing, and healthcare.
In its inaugural year, the Dubai Campus will also establish two specialized centers of excellence—one focusing on case writing and development, and the other on start-up incubation. As the campus evolves, more academic programs will be launched to meet the dynamic needs of global professionals and entrepreneurs.
Pankaj Patel, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, IIMA, stated, “The opening of IIMA’s first international campus in Dubai is a significant achievement for the Institute and Indian management education. By establishing a presence in one of the world’s most vibrant hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship, IIMA is expanding its global presence. This step reinforces our commitment to developing leaders who are prepared for the challenges of an interconnected world.”
