In a major stride towards internationalising Indian higher education, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has announced the establishment of its first overseas campus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The move marks a significant milestone in IIFT’s 62-year history and underscores India’s growing presence in the global education landscape.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Friday. The new campus has received the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Education, along with No Objection Certificates from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal hailed the development as a reflection of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of making India a global hub for education. “This truly reflects the spirit of NEP 2020, marking a new chapter in the internationalisation of Indian education and its growing role in shaping global thought leadership. It is also a testament to the strengthening India-UAE partnership,” he said.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal described the Dubai campus as a turning point in IIFT’s journey. “This represents India’s emergence as a provider of world-class education, especially in the field of international trade,” he noted, while applauding the institute’s continued focus on aligning academic and research efforts with national priorities.
Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of IIFT, expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders who supported the initiative. Reaffirming the institute’s commitment to excellence, he said, “We aim to transform IIFT into a world-class institution through our Dubai campus by excelling in education, training, and research in international trade.”