IIFT Goes Global with MoE Approval for Dubai Campus

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, is set to establish its first offshore campus in Dubai, marking a significant step in its global expansion. The Ministry of Education has given the green signal for the new international campus, following the recent approval of IIFT’s campus at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).

The Ministry of Education (MoE) approved the IIFT proposal for setting up the Dubai campus after considering no-objection certificates (NoC) from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The offshore campus will be located in the India Pavilion at Expo City, Dubai. 

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, welcomed the move, tweeting: “Heartiest congratulations to IIFT New Delhi for getting the approval to set up their offshore campus in Dubai, UAE. 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.”

Congratulating IIFT on its first international venture, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal called it a turning point in the institute’s 62-year history. “This marks India’s emergence as a provider of world-class education, particularly in the field of international trade,” he said.

Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of IIFT, reiterated his commitment to transform IIFT into a world-class institute and make a mark in its upcoming Dubai campus by way of excelling in research, training and research in the area of International Trade. He reaffirmed IIFT’s commitment to advancing India’s academic and economic diplomacy through excellence in education and research. 

In its official notice dated May 15, 2025, the MoE outlined key conditions for setting up the Dubai campus. These include obtaining necessary financial approvals from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, securing permissions from the UAE government in compliance with local regulations, and maintaining academic standards equivalent to the main campus in New Delhi.

The campus is expected to begin operations in 2026, offering MBA (International Business) programmes, executive education, and research initiatives tailored to the dynamic Middle Eastern market. This move reinforces IIFT’s commitment to shaping the future of global trade education.

IIFT’s expansion into Dubai is expected to strengthen India-UAE educational ties and enhance the institute’s role as a hub for global trade studies. The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from industry leaders and alumni, who see the new campus as a strategic step towards enhancing India’s influence in the global trade ecosystem.

IIFT was established in 1963 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to contribute to skill-building in India’s external trade sector. The institute was granted “Deemed to be University” status in 2002. Besides Delhi, IIFT has two campuses — one in Kolkata and another in Kakinada.