Dubai Adds IIM Ahmedabad, AUB, and Fakeeh College to Expanding Education Hub

Dubai is strengthening its position as a global hub for international education with the launch of three new international university branches set to open in the 2025-26 academic year. These additions mark a strategic expansion aligned with the emirate’s long-term goals under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Education 33 frameworks.

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The three institutions set to open campuses in Dubai are:

1. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad One of India’s most prestigious management institutions, ranked #27 globally for Business & Management in the QS Subject Rankings.
2. American University of Beirut (AUB) A leading Lebanese institution with a global QS ranking of #237, bringing its liberal arts and research-driven education model to Dubai.
3. Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences (Saudi Arabia) A specialist medical and health sciences college with a reputation for training healthcare professionals in the Gulf.

These new campuses raise Dubai’s total number of international branch universities to over 40. According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), this expansion reinforces the emirate’s ambition to be a top-10 global education city by 2033.

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Dr. Wafi Dawood, CEO of Strategy & Development at KHDA, stated that these developments support Dubai’s broader strategic objectives, including:

Enhancing the global competitiveness of Dubai-based graduates

Increasing educational tourism tenfold by 2033

Doubling Dubai’s economy over the next decade

Attracting more than 50% of higher education students from outside the UAE

Current Landscape and Recent Trends
Dubai’s private higher education sector has experienced significant growth:

41 licensed private higher education institutions are currently active

37 of these are branch campuses of international universities

The 2024–25 academic year saw a 20% increase in total enrolments

International student numbers rose by 29%

Over 42,000 students are now enrolled across more than 700 programmes

Dubai is already home to globally ranked branch campuses, including:

University of Manchester Dubai (#35 globally)

University of Birmingham Dubai (#76)

Curtin University Dubai (#183)

University of Wollongong in Dubai (#184)

Why This Matters
The introduction of IIM Ahmedabad, AUB, and Fakeeh College provides:

Broader academic offerings in elite business, management, and health programs

An economic boost through increased educational tourism and spending

Talent pipeline growth as more international students choose Dubai as a study destination