Dubai has marked a major step in its education landscape with the inauguration of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad’s (IIMA) first international campus. The new academic hub was officially opened by His Highness 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.
Located in Dubai International Academic City, part of TECOM Group PJSC, the launch reflects Dubai’s ambition to position itself as a leading destination for world-class education while reinforcing the UAE’s strong ties with India.
One-year MBA tailored for professionals
The campus has introduced a one-year, full-time Master of Business Administration programme, designed for professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to advance their careers without relocating abroad. Structured across five terms, the programme offers intensive management training with global perspectives and regional relevance.
The first batch has already welcomed 35 students, representing diverse industries such as finance, consulting, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. This diversity is expected to enrich classroom discussions and provide practical exposure to different sectors.
Centres of excellence to shape the region’s future
IIMA Dubai is also launching two centres of excellence during its inaugural year. The first is dedicated to case writing and development, producing original case studies that reflect business challenges in the Middle East and South Asia. The second is a startup incubation centre, created to nurture entrepreneurial talent and support the UAE’s fast-growing innovation ecosystem.
Both initiatives align with Dubai’s long-term vision for education and innovation, while giving professionals and researchers opportunities to contribute to region-specific knowledge and enterprise building.
UAE–India education and business ties
The establishment of IIMA’s Dubai campus is not just an academic development but also a step forward in bilateral cooperation. For the UAE, it supports national strategies such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Education 33, which aim to place the emirate among the world’s leading centres for education and economic growth by 2033.
For India, the move highlights the global reach of one of its most prestigious management schools. By bringing its faculty and expertise to Dubai, IIMA is set to play a role in shaping the region’s leadership talent and in contributing to research that addresses local and regional business challenges.
Opportunities for students, businesses, and the region
The campus provides a strong opportunity for mid-career professionals in Dubai and across the GCC to pursue advanced management education without the need to relocate. The one-year MBA is structured to meet the needs of executives and entrepreneurs who want to balance work and study while gaining exposure to international best practices.
For Dubai’s business ecosystem, the startup incubation centre and case writing hub promise to create a knowledge base that is regionally grounded yet globally competitive. Local businesses may also benefit from executive education programmes, research collaborations, and the availability of highly skilled graduates trained within the UAE.
takeaways
- The first global campus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, based in Dubai International Academic City.
- One-year MBA designed for working professionals and entrepreneurs, delivered over five terms.
- First batch of 35 students enrolled from sectors including finance, consulting, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing.
- Two centres of excellence were established: one focused on case writing, the other on startup incubation.
- Strategic alignment with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 and Education 33 strategy, enhancing UAE–India ties in higher education.
The launch of IIMA’s first international campus in Dubai signals a new chapter in the emirate’s rise as a global education hub. By combining academic excellence with practical industry engagement, the initiative offers a pathway for professionals in the UAE and the wider Gulf to access one of the world’s top management schools without leaving the region.
As the campus expands, its influence on talent development, research, and entrepreneurship in Dubai is expected to grow, strengthening the emirate’s reputation as a centre for knowledge and innovation.
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