Dubai: India's IIMA, 2 other international universities to open campuses in 2025-26

Dubai is set to welcome three globally recognised universities in the upcoming 2025-26 academic year, further cementing its position as a hub for international higher education.

The Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed that the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad from India, the American University of Beirut (AUB) from Lebanon, and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences from Saudi Arabia will establish campuses in the emirate.

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IIM Ahmedabad’s Business and Management programme currently ranks 27th globally in the QS World University Rankings by subject, while AUB holds the 237th spot in the overall global QS rankings.

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Major universities to open campuses

Notably, there is also strong interest from major universities to open campuses in Dubai, with several in discussions or pending final approval.

Dr Wafi Dawood, CEO of the Strategic Development Sector at KHDA, said, “Dubai’s initiative to attract the best global universities, endorsed by The Executive Council, reflects the emirate’s international stature. Dubai’s visionary leaders have ensured all the resources necessary to position the emirate as a global leader and a top destination for students and prestigious international higher education institutions.

“This initiative aligns with the social and economic goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Education 33 Strategy, which represents a transformative vision for Dubai’s education system. Our aim is to enhance the global competitiveness of Dubai’s graduates, increase educational tourism tenfold by 2033, integrate a new generation of Emiratis into the workforce and future sectors, and contribute to doubling Dubai’s economy over the next decade, positioning the city among the world’s top three economic hubs.”

Currently, Dubai hosts 41 private international higher education providers, 37 of which are branch campuses of globally recognised universities.

Among them, the University of Manchester Dubai and the University of Birmingham Dubai have parent campuses ranked in the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, at 35th and 76th respectively.

Curtin University Dubai at 183^rd spot and the University of Wollongong in Dubai which stands at 184^th, also feature in the top 200, while three other universities with campuses in the emirate are ranked within the top 300 globally.

In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, several institutions with a presence in Dubai have been recognised among the world’s best in Business and Management. These include London Business School ranked 7th, ESCP stands at 54th, and Luiss University is at the 67th spot. Instituto Marangoni, one of the leading institutes offering higher education programmes in design, ranks between 51–100 worldwide for Art and Design.

The expansion is part of a broader strategy under the global university attraction project, which falls under the Education 33 strategy. The initiative seeks to create a robust academic ecosystem by blending transnational education with local programmes that invest in scientific research and cross-border collaboration.

International students to comprise 50% by 2033

One of its key goals is for international students to comprise 50 per cent of the total student population in Dubai’s higher education sector by 2033, contributing an estimated Dh 5.6 billion to the sector’s GDP.

The city is already witnessing growth on this front. Enrolment at Dubai’s higher education institutions rose by 20 per cent overall, with international student enrolment increasing by 29 per cent for the 2024-25 academic year. A total of 42,026 students are now enrolled across 41 private universities in the city, marking the highest enrolment to date. These institutions offer over 700 academic programmes aimed at equipping students with future-ready skills aligned with the emirate’s strategic vision.

• Dubai

Nandini Sircar

nandini@khaleejtimes.com

Nandini Sircar has a penchant for education, space, and women's narratives. She views the world through a prism of learning: whether it's the earthly pursuit of wisdom or the unearthly mysteries of space. In her written universe, women and children take centre stage.