Current Context: The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has announced the establishment of its first overseas campus in Dubai, marking a significant step in the internationalization of Indian higher education.

About IIFT:

• Established in 1963 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Offers specialized programs in international business, trade policy, and economics.
• Currently operates from two main campuses in Delhi and Kolkata.

Significance:

• Aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the internationalization of higher education.
• Aims to create global learning hubs and enhance India’s soft power in education.
• Facilitates cross-border academic collaborations and student exchange programs.

Internationalization of Higher Education in India:

• NEP 2020 envisions two approaches:
  • Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) establishing campuses abroad (e.g., IIT Madras in Tanzania).
  • Foreign HEIs setting up campuses in India (e.g., Deakin University in GIFT City, Gujarat).