Overview of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s Visit to UAE from September 10 to 11, 2025

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), was on a two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 10 to 11, 2025.

• The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of education, promote Academic Excellence and Innovations, and explore new partnerships for the benefit of students and youths in India and UAE.

Highlights of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s Visit to UAE:

Visit to Abu Dhabi :

Inauguration of AIC: On September 10, 2025, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

• During the visit, he inaugurated the first-ever Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) hosted in an Indian institution abroad at the IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus. The facility aims to support joint start-ups and research-led ventures by Indian and UAE innovators.
• The AIC is designed to promote bilateral cooperation in sectors such as deep tech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), clean energy, and healthcare. It also serves as a gateway to Middle Eastern markets for Indian start-ups and innovators.

Launch of Academic Programs: launched two new academic programs at IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Energy and Sustainability and a BBachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Chemical Engineering.

Leadership Engagement: He met with Sara Musallam, Chairperson, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) at the IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus. The meeting witnessed the discussion on expanding Indian curriculum-based schools in the UAE to meet the educational needs of the Indian diaspora.

Temple visit: He visited the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple in Abu Dhabi.

Visit to Dubai:

Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL): On September 11, 2025, he inaugurated ATL in 12 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-affiliated schools across the UAE as part of the Teachers’ Day 2025 celebrations.

• ATL will encourage hands-on learning in Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and provide students with access to tools such as Three Dimension (3D) printers, robotic kits, and electronic kits.

IIM Ahmedabad Dubai Campus: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister(PM), UAE, in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the Dubai campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM)- Ahmedabad in Dubai, UAE, marking the first overseas campus of IIM Ahmedabad.

• The campus aims to foster research, innovation, and cross-border collaborations with UAE institutions and industries.

Plantation Drive: Union Minister Pradhan participated in “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” plantation drive at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, planting Ghaf trees, which are native to the UAE.

Roundtable with Indian institutions: He held a roundtable discussion with representatives of Indian universities and institutions operating in the UAE to strengthen bilateral ties in Education.

• The discussion focused to expand academic collaborations and joint research programs, facilitate student and faculty exchange programs between India and UAE institutions, and explore the opportunities to establish new Indian schools and educational programmes in the UAE.

Anniversary Celebration: He attended the first anniversary celebration of Symbiosis University Dubai Campus at Dubai.
About United Arab Emirates (UAE):
President – Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Capital – Abu Dhabi
Currency – UAE Dirham(AED)