Indian university boom in UAE: Affordable, high-quality education by top-tier campuses

Khaleej Times

6 hours ago

The UAE is increasingly positioning itself as a global destination for higher education, with a significant rise in the presence of Indian universities contributing to the country's growing academic credibility and appeal on the world stage.
Educators in the country also highlighted that 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.
Notably, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus, 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.
What's driving the change?
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."
Educational experts note that 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.
"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.
Dr Anita Patankar, Executive Director of Symbiosis Dubai, said, "As these institutions expand globally, their presence in the UAE strengthens the country's position as a serious player in international higher education. Being selected as one of only five Indian universities under the India-UAE bilateral agreement and the first with full CAA accreditation, Symbiosis Dubai stands as a clear example of how academic excellence, global trust, and regional opportunity can converge."
"Students are no longer just looking for a degree; they're looking for relevance, mobility, and real-world outcomes. And globally respected Indian universities are delivering on that promise right here in Dubai," she added.
IIT Delhi ranks joint 123rd globally
At the forefront of this progress in India, is IIT Delhi, now ranked joint 123rd globally, as per the QS World University Rankings 2026.
IIT Delhi has jumped more than 70 positions since 2024. The employer reputation of Indian institutions continues to soar, with five in the global top 100, ahead of even Mainland China and France on average. Moreover, India places eight institutions in the global top 100 for Citations per Faculty, demonstrating its rapidly expanding research footprint.
QS CEO Jessica Turner said, "India is rewriting the global higher education map. No other country has seen more universities debut in this edition of the QS World University Rankings — a clear sign of a system evolving at speed and scale."
She added, "We see clear progress: Indian universities are strengthening their global research footprint and advancing in areas such as Citations per Faculty, Sustainability, and International Research Network." She explained going forward Transnational education and Transnational Research will be a vital part of this transformation. "We are seeing a two-way flow accelerating: leading global universities are establishing offshore campuses and joint programmes in India, while Indian institutions are beginning to export their own education by building TNE partnerships and campuses abroad, with joint research as a key component of partnership development."