Crown Prince of Dubai Inaugurates IIM Ahmedabad’s First Overseas Campus

Dubai/New Delhi: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Thursday inaugurated the first-ever overseas campus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) in Dubai, marking a historic step in India’s higher education globalization.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, UAE’s Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar, senior dignitaries from the UAE government, and top officials of IIM Ahmedabad.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan described the launch as “another big leap towards globalization of India’s education,” in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. He said Dubai had provided an ideal launchpad for the ethos of “Indian in spirit, global in outlook” and expressed gratitude to the Crown Prince for strengthening India-UAE knowledge partnerships.

Highlighting India’s talent pool and UAE’s role as a global economic hub, the minister emphasized the commitment of both countries to deepen collaborations in higher education, innovation, and research. Discussions between Shri Pradhan and Dr. Al Awar also focused on joint research in critical areas, capacity building, and cultural exchanges.

The Education Minister also met with representatives of Indian universities in Dubai, including Manipal, BITS Pilani, Symbiosis, MIT, and Amity. He urged institutions to shift from research publication to commercialization and innovation, reinforcing Brand India in the global academic landscape.

In another key announcement, Pradhan revealed that 12 Atal Tinkering Labs will be set up in CBSE schools across GCC countries to foster STEM learning and entrepreneurship among students. He also planted a symbolic Ghaf tree at the Indian Consulate in Dubai under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign, calling it a living symbol of India-UAE friendship.

The visit, marked by a series of academic engagements and cultural exchanges, reaffirmed the strategic partnership between India and the UAE, rooted in shared aspirations to empower future generations through education.