In a major push to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates, Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan is undertaking a high-profile two-day visit to the UAE, centered on expanding bilateral cooperation in education and innovation. The visit is highlighted by the landmark inauguration of the IIM Ahmedabad, Dubai Campus, and the launch of a key innovation hub at the existing IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus—a move that signals a new era of academic excellence and global outreach for Indian higher education.
The centerpiece of the visit is the formal establishment of a significant Indian academic presence in the UAE. Today, Shri Pradhan is scheduled to visit the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi Campus to inaugurate its Atal Incubation Centre, the first of its kind to be established outside of India. During his visit, he will also officially launch the campus's PhD and B.Tech programs, marking a critical step in building a world-class research and development ecosystem.
This will be followed tomorrow by another historic milestone: the inauguration of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad's Dubai Campus. The minister will be joined by his UAE counterpart, H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, for the ceremony, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the initiative. The launch of these campuses is a testament to the global reputation of India's premier educational brands and provides new avenues for students in the region to access top-tier Indian education.
Beyond higher education, the minister's visit is focused on nurturing a culture of innovation from the ground up. The launch of the Atal Incubation Centre at IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi is designed to support startups and entrepreneurs, creating a bridge between academia and industry. This focus on innovation extends to the school level, with Shri Pradhan set to launch Atal Tinkering Labs in Indian schools across the UAE. These labs are designed to provide students with the tools and guidance to develop a problem-solving mindset and foster a spirit of curiosity and creativity, ensuring the next generation is well-equipped for the challenges of the future.
Throughout the two-day visit, the minister's schedule is packed with high-level meetings with key UAE leaders and policymakers, including H.E. Ms. Sara Musallam, Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. These discussions are aimed at exploring new avenues for partnership and ensuring that the educational collaborations meet the aspirations of students in both countries.
The minister's agenda also includes significant community and cultural engagements, such as a visit to the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi, participation in a Teachers' Day celebration with CBSE school principals, and a plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. The visit will conclude with an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Dubai, reinforcing the deep and multifaceted ties that bind the two nations. This holistic approach, blending top-tier education with grassroots innovation and cultural diplomacy, solidifies the India-UAE relationship as a forward-looking partnership built on a shared vision for knowledge and prosperity.
· Deepening Bilateral Ties: Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan is on a two-day visit to the UAE to strengthen the strategic partnership in education and innovation.
· Premier Campuses Launched: The visit marks the historic inauguration of the IIM Ahmedabad campus in Dubai and the launch of new programs at the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus.
· Focus on Innovation: A key highlight is the launch of the first-ever foreign Atal Incubation Centre at IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi and new Atal Tinkering Labs in Indian schools in the UAE.
· High-Level Strategic Dialogue: The minister is engaging in a series of meetings with top UAE officials to advance the partnership in knowledge exchange and academic excellence.
