The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has decided to create a new campus in Dubai for future operations. The Crown Prince of Dubai signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this initiative when he traveled to India together with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum who serves as the Deputy Prime Minister as well as Defense Minister of the UAE.
The MoU signing ceremony was present by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mktoum who serves as the Crown Prince of Dubai along with Shri Piyush Goyal who holds the position of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry for the Government of India.
The official announcement by the Ministry of External Affairs reveals that the India Institute of Management Ahmedabad Dubai campus will begin delivering its first MBA program during September 2025. The establishment of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) overseas campus took place at the India Pavilion in Expo City Dubai.
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has chosen Dubai skyline to establish its first international location which will define its global presence. Through a recently established Memorandum of Understanding IIMA plans to develop its initial international campus in Dubai as authorized by the United Arab Emirates Government.
The IIMA Dubai Campus construction will unfold through two successive stages. The institute will start its operations by utilizing facilities in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) which serves as a prominent educational center in the region. Construction of a permanent campus at IIMA will proceed in two phases until it becomes fully functional in 2029.
According to the IIMA Director Professor Bharat Bhasker Dubai represents a thriving international center that combines innovation with investment and business entrepreneurship activities. He stated that the institution aimed to deliver top-quality management education to emerging leaders from the Middle East region along with its neighboring territories.
IIMA Chairperson Pankaj Patel expressed his pleasure at beginning their Dubai campus operation this year because of Government of Dubai backing. Our goal for the upcoming decade involves creating this successful learning center which will help future leaders develop innovation skills and pathfinders abilities. Our organization will continue dedicating itself to transformative learning and leadership development while making sustainable social impact throughout the global community.
Through this collaboration IIMA continues its dedication to delivering premium management education while enabling cultural interaction to prepare future graduates for success in global markets. The establishment of operations in Dubai serves to enhance our educational services throughout India. Our full-time One-year MBA programme has prospered over the last twenty years and will remain our initial academic program at the Dubai Campus.
Dubai Economic Development Corporation, CEO Hadi Badri expressed his favorable view regarding IIMA’s Dubai Campus launch because it would solidify the city’s position as global talent innovation and entrepreneurial center thus enabling better leadership skill development across the wider region. Through this partnership we look forward to working with IIMA to build up the institution as a permanent player in Dubai’s academic and business activities.
IIMA starts its Dubai campus with its whole One-year MBA program made for experienced professionals and business owners. This program enables learners to get advanced management learning which combines global business insights that supports the UAE innovation agenda. Fitting candidates will enter two stages of admission by submitting GMAT or GRE results from the last five years. The inaugural program starts its operations in September 2025.