IIM Ahmedabad to launch first global campus in Dubai

IIM Ahmedabad: India’s most significant business school is going global — and it’s not starting small.

A Landmark Step for Indian Management Education

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad is set to open its first-ever international campus in Dubai this September, marking a significant step into the global education arena. Known as the crown jewel of Indian management education, IIMA aims to bring its signature blend of academic excellence and practical relevance to the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.

“The Dubai campus represents a bold commitment to serving global learners with the same rigor and quality that IIMA is known for in India,” said Professor Aditya Christopher Moses, chairperson of the new campus.

Not Just Exporting — Localizing Indian Excellence

The Dubai campus will emphasize local context in its programming.

“We see this as an opportunity not just to export Indian management education, but to localize it,” Moses explained, adding that IIMA’s renowned case-based pedagogy and faculty expertise will be tailored to tackle region-specific business and policy challenges.

Why Dubai, Why Now?

Set in Dubai International Academic City, the new campus will initially offer a mix of:

• Executive education programs for mid- and senior-level professionals,
• A one-year MBA/PGPX program, with curriculum focused on leadership, strategy, public policy, and systems thinking.

Applications are already open, and the first cohorts will begin in September.

Moses called Dubai a strategic launchpad:

“Dubai is at the intersection of global trade, innovation, and policy. It is a gateway to the Middle East, Africa, and even Central Asia — all regions that are undergoing significant economic transformation. We want to be a part of that story.”

Global Vision, Strong Local Partnership

The new venture is supported by UAE-based BRS Ventures, which will provide infrastructure and operational support. IIMA, however, retains full control over academic design, faculty recruitment, program delivery, and quality assurance.

This expansion signals not just a global move for IIMA, but a larger shift in Indian higher education, taking its world-class teaching and leadership to the international stage.