Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) to Establish Its First Overseas Campus in Dubai

This marks a key step in expanding IIFT's global presence and strengthening India's engagement in international business education.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is setting up its first overseas campus in Dubai, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on Monday.

This step marks a key initiative in expanding IIFT's global presence and strengthening India's engagement in international business education.

The move also aligns with the vision of the New Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes the internationalisation of Indian institutions and the creation of global learning hubs.

The upcoming Dubai campus will serve as a strategic centre for nurturing global business leaders equipped with Indian values and an international outlook. It will also serve the dynamic needs of the Indian diaspora and global learners.

The step also signifies the deepening educational collaboration between India and the UAE.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed his happiness and congratulated IIFT on the landmark achievement.

"This truly reflects the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020, marking a new chapter in the internationalisation of Indian education and its growing role in shaping thought leadership globally. It is also a testament to the strengthening India-UAE partnership, and this new campus will play a pivotal role in moulding the business leaders of tomorrow," Goyal said.

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal congratulated IIFT on its maiden international expansion.

"It's a turning point in IIFT's 62-year history that it is setting up a full-fledged campus in Dubai. It represents India's emergence as a country that provides world-class education especially in the field of International Trade. I must compliment IIFT for consistently aligning its academic and research endeavours in national interest, which would contribute significantly to promote exports," Barthwal added.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is an autonomous body that comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is one of the premier institutes in India for management education with a specialisation in international business.

The institute grants the Post Graduate Diploma in International Trade (PGDIT) and PhD programmes at its Delhi and Kolkata campuses. It also conducts a wide range of executive programmes and seminars for mid-career professionals and diplomats.

Earlier this year, the government approved the proposal of setting up an IIFT campus in Dubai. The move is expected to boost India's presence in the Gulf region and promote academic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The upcoming Dubai campus will offer a select set of postgraduate programmes in domains like global business, economics, and sustainable development, catering to both Indian and international students.

It will also serve as a hub for research and policy consultation on pressing issues related to international trade, investment, and technology.

With the launch of its Dubai campus, IIFT is poised to carry the Indian legacy of education to new frontiersgrooming leaders who will shape the future of international trade and business.