Blitz Bureau
WITH a significant rise in the presence of Indian universities in the UAE, the emirate is increasingly positioning itself as a global destination for higher education, reported Khaleej Times.
The India-UAE partnership is enabling new models of cross-border learning. Over the past decade, Indian universities have seen a staggering 390 per cent increase in global rankings representation, and many are now setting up campuses in the UAE, a move that aligns with the country’s vision to become a premier education hub.
The Abu Dhabi campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, the first international branch of the prestigious institute, has recently completed its first year and aims to become a global centre for innovation and talent development. This growing presence is especially resonant with the UAE’s large Indian diaspora, as well as international students looking for affordable, high-quality education in a region renowned for its connectivity, safety, and innovation-driven economy.
The paper quoting Souri Banerjee, Director of BITS Pilani, said, “This remarkable surge significantly enhances the global credibility of Indian institutions and aligns well with the UAE’s vision of emerging as a premier regional education hub. It draws international attention to the academic potential of the region and reinforces confidence among students and parents in the quality of education available right here in the UAE.”
The UAE’s strategic location, multicultural ecosystem, and forward-looking policies make it an attractive base for reputed universities to expand abroad — especially those from India, a country with deep-rooted ties to the Emirates, according to experts.
“BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus is deeply rooted in the legacy of its parent institute in India and is committed to advancing global academic excellence. We actively pursue cross-border collaborations, joint research projects, and student exchange programmes that enrich our academic portfolio while fostering innovation and connectivity within the international education ecosystem,” added Banerjee.
Meanwhile, with 54 Indian institutions now featured, India has overtaken many long-established systems to become the fourth most-represented country in the rankings.
Experts also pointed out that Indian universities are no longer seen solely as regional institutions. They now represent global standards of academic excellence, innovation, and industry-readiness.
