IIMA to open first overseas extension centre in Dubai

MUMBAI: IIM Ahmedabad and UAE’s BRS Ventures have signed an MoU to establish the business school’s first extension centre in Dubai. The centre, which will start operations in June, will begin with executive education programmes that are relevant to the region and will include both open learning and customised training programmes.

“For an institute with global footprint of alumni, it is important to have physical presence beyond the national borders. The UAE has been the gateway and hub for MENA region’s business connect with the world,” said Errol D’Souza, director of IIM Ahmedabad.

According to the MoU, IIM Ahmedabad will provide academic and training expertise while BRS Ventures will facilitate the required support including infrastructure, industry links and logistics. Executive education programmes have been gaining ground and growing in popularity across industries and corporates. Depending on response and other factors, IIMA-BRS Ventures will consider rolling out, in a phased manner, other programmes in the UAE of longer duration. These programmes will be globally relevant.


“The IIMA Extension Centre will immediately benefit UAE and MENA regions’ economies, public policies, executive skills and industry overall,” BR Shetty, chairman at BRS Ventures, said in a statement. “Later, when longer-duration programmes are launched, the graduating students will be entitled for preferred employment at our own diversified businesses.”