Big boost for Indian education! IIM Bangalore to open first international campus in Indonesia

The announcement was made during Modi's official visit to Indonesia and his joint press statement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

The proposed campus will be set up at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone in Malang and is expected to serve students from Indonesia as well as the wider ASEAN region.

"The campus will greatly benefit the youth of the entire ASEAN region," Modi said.

According to an official government statement, the initiative represents a landmark step in the internationalisation of India's higher education ecosystem and reinforces the country's growing role as a global knowledge partner.

The Indonesia campus will be IIM Bangalore's first overseas campus and follows the establishment of international campuses by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad in Dubai, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in Abu Dhabi, and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in Zanzibar.

"Building on the successful establishment of overseas campuses by IIM Ahmedabad in Dubai, IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi, and IIT Madras in Zanzibar, it underscores India's growing stature as a trusted global knowledge partner committed to advancing excellence in education, research and innovation worldwide," the government statement said.

The initiative also advances the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages India's premier institutions to expand globally and enhance access to world-class education.

Future-ready curriculum

The Indonesia campus will offer a curriculum designed to prepare future business leaders by focusing on five key areas shaping the global economy: global supply chains, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, climate and sustainability, and healthcare management.

The programmes will also feature interactions with industry leaders, distinguished academicians and globally renowned experts, according to the statement.

Two-phase rollout

The project will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase will begin with executive education programmes tailored for senior executives, business leaders and public sector professionals.

Subject to the successful implementation of the initial phase over two years, the second phase will introduce degree-granting management programmes.

The campus will be established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIM Bangalore and PT Intelegensia Grahatama (PT IGT), the managing and development entity of the Singhasari Special Economic Zone.

While the campus is primarily aimed at Indonesian students, it is also expected to attract participants from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Students enrolled in Indonesia will have opportunities to participate in short academic immersion programmes at IIM Bangalore's Bengaluru campus, gaining exposure to India's innovation ecosystem, industry and business environment.