IIM Ahmedabad strengthens global presence with Dubai campus launch

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has announced the establishment of its new campus in Dubai, set to begin classes in September.

This makes IIMA the first Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to open a campus outside of India.

However, it is not the first Indian educational institution to venture abroad, as several institutions have already expanded their global reach, with campuses across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the United States.

One of the earliest examples is the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), which set up its Dubai campus in 2000.

The campus now hosts over 2,500 students from 45 different countries, forming a diverse and multicultural community.

MAHE Dubai operates as a branch of India’s largest private university. That same year, BITS Pilani also established its Dubai campus, the only international branch of the institution.

Over the past 25 years, BITS Pilani Dubai has graduated more than 6,000 students and seen the launch of around 50 start-ups.

In 2004, SP Jain School of Global Management opened its first international campus in Dubai, followed by campuses in Singapore, Sydney, and more recently, the United States.

Last year, SP Jain expanded its presence in the US by acquiring California Miramar University.

The institution also has campuses in Mumbai and London. Another significant international expansion came from Amity University, which opened its Dubai campus in 2011.

With over 2,500 students from more than 70 nationalities, Amity University Dubai has also expanded its presence globally, with campuses in cities like London, New York, and Singapore, in addition to several locations across India.

In 2023, IIT Madras opened a campus in Zanzibar, offering courses in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

The BSc and MTech programs charge annual fees between $4,000 and $12,000, with accommodation costs additional.

The campus is directed by Preeti Aghalayam, the first-ever woman to hold such a position at any IIT.

Symbiosis International University is also set to open a campus in Dubai in 2024, offering various undergraduate programs and an MBA.

Meanwhile, IIT Delhi will also begin operations in Abu Dhabi in 2024, initially using temporary facilities at Zayed University.

The permanent campus will offer courses in fields such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, healthcare, and various engineering disciplines.

These expansions reflect the increasing trend of Indian higher education institutions establishing a presence on the global stage, providing students with international learning opportunities and encouraging cross-border academic exchanges.