IIM Ahmedabad, inaugurated its overseas campus in Dubai. The ceremony, attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was described as a significant stride in the globalisation of Indian education.
The campus is seen as a strategic move to foster international academic collaboration and provide Indian educational expertise to a wider audience.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the new campus another milestone for India’s educational ambitions.
He wrote, “IIM Ahmedabad Dubai campus will take the best of India to the world. Dubai, today, has provided the perfect launchpad to the ethos of ‘Indian in spirit, global in outlook’ by hosting the IIM Ahmedabad international campus.”
The event also strengthened ties between India and the UAE in higher education. Pradhan met Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar, Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the UAE, to discuss expanding academic cooperation.
According to the Ministry of Education, “Both leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation in higher education and agreed to further deepen knowledge bridges, making knowledge, innovation, and research central pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
BILATERAL FOCUS ON RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Talks extended to joint research and academic capacity building.
“The discussions also focused on joint research in critical and emerging areas, capacity building and promoting two-way cultural and academic exchanges. Reaffirming that India is a global hotspot of talent and the UAE a global economic hub, both sides underscored their shared commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties and advancing mutual priorities,” the Ministry added.
Minister Pradhan also met leaders of Indian higher education institutions at Manipal University Dubai, including Symbiosis, BITS Pilani, MIT, and Amity.
These discussions provided an opportunity to learn about the UAE’s academic landscape and the need to move research from publication to productisation and marketisation.
He noted productive deliberations on strengthening Brand India in global education, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
NEW INITIATIVES FOR STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS
To support Indian students in the region, the minister met with principals of 109 Indian Curriculum schools in the UAE, with virtual participation from CBSE school principals across the GCC.
He announced 12 new Atal Tinkering Labs in CBSE schools across GCC countries to stimulate scientific curiosity and entrepreneurship among students.
At the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Pradhan planted a sapling of the Ghaf tree under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign, highlighting cultural ties between India and the UAE.
The minister also visited the Abu Dhabi campus of IIT Delhi, inaugurating the first overseas Atal Incubation Centre hosted in an Indian institution.
The visit reflects both countries’ desire to explore collaborations in education and research, while meeting the aspirations of students and youth in India and the Gulf region.
(With inputs from PTI)
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