Govt approves IIFT's proposal to open first offshore campus in Dubai

The institute has received approvals from Ministry of Education, along with no-objection certificates from ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs, as well as University Grants Commission, IIFT said.

New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on Friday announced that it has received approvals from multiple ministries and the University Grants Commission for setting up its first overseas campus in Dubai.

“It marks a proud moment in the globalisation of Indian higher education and aligns with the vision of National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises the internationalisation of Indian institutions and the creation of global learning hubs,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

The IIFT was established in 1963 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. At present, it has two campuses – one in New Delhi and the other in Kolkata. The institute offers specialised postgraduate and doctoral programmes in international business, trade policy, and economics.

For its proposed Dubai campus, IIFT has received approvals from the Ministry of Education, and no objection certificates (NOCs) from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the University Grants Commission.

“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,” said Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

“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 added.