Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan embarked on a landmark visit to the United Arab Emirates on September 10, 2025, aimed at boosting educational collaboration and innovation between India and the UAE. During his trip, he inaugurated the first international Atal Incubation Centre at the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus, marking a major step in India’s Atal Innovation Mission reaching beyond national borders. The centre is designed to nurture startups, encourage entrepreneurial ventures, and foster a culture of innovation among students and aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.

At the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus, Minister Pradhan also launched new PhD and B.Tech programs, engaging with faculty and students to highlight opportunities for academic growth and research excellence. These programs are expected to strengthen technical education and create a bridge for global knowledge exchange. Minister Pradhan emphasized the importance of innovation-driven education in preparing students for future challenges and said the incubation centre would serve as a hub for technological advancement.

As part of his UAE itinerary, he also attended the first anniversary celebrations of Symbiosis University’s Dubai campus and visited the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the cultural and educational linkages between the two countries. On the following day, he joined UAE officials, including H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, to inaugurate IIM Ahmedabad’s first international campus in Dubai, showcasing India’s expanding higher education footprint globally.

The visit further included a roundtable discussion with Indian higher education institutions operating in the UAE and the launch of Atal Tinkering Labs in Indian schools across the Emirates, aimed at promoting creativity and hands-on learning. Minister Pradhan’s tour highlights India’s commitment to global educational collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation, while creating opportunities for students and institutions to benefit from cross-border knowledge sharing and academic excellence.