IIM Bangalore to Establish First Overseas Campus in Indonesia

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) is set to establish its first international campus in Indonesia, marking a significant milestone in India's efforts to expand the global presence of its higher education institutions. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Indonesia, the initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages leading Indian universities and institutes to build an international footprint through cross-border education, research, and academic partnerships.

The proposed campus will be located at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Malang, positioning IIM Bangalore as the second Indian Institute of Management to launch an overseas campus after IIM Ahmedabad's Dubai campus.

India Expands Its Global Higher Education Presence

The establishment of IIM Bangalore's overseas campus reflects India's broader strategy to internationalise higher education and strengthen academic engagement across the Indo-Pacific region. The initiative is expected to deepen educational cooperation between India and Indonesia while making Indian management education more accessible to students and professionals across Southeast Asia.

The announcement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral discussions with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, highlighting education as an important pillar of the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.

Campus to Be Developed in Two Phases

According to the Ministry of Education, the Indonesia campus will be launched through a phased approach to ensure sustainable growth and academic excellence.

The first phase will focus on executive education programmes designed for senior executives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and public sector professionals. These short-term programmes aim to strengthen leadership capabilities while addressing emerging business and management challenges across the region.

Following the successful implementation of the initial phase over approximately two years, degree-granting management programmes will be introduced during the second phase, expanding academic opportunities for students seeking internationally recognised management education.

Curriculum Focused on Future-Ready Skills

The proposed campus will deliver a curriculum aligned with rapidly evolving global industries and business environments.

Academic programmes will focus on five key areas shaping the future of management education:

• Global Supply Chains
• Digital Transformation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Climate and Sustainability
• Healthcare Management

These interdisciplinary subjects have been selected to equip learners with practical knowledge and leadership skills required to navigate technological change, environmental challenges, and increasingly interconnected global markets.

Students to Benefit from Academic Exchange Opportunities

Students enrolled at the Indonesia campus will also have opportunities to participate in short-term academic immersion programmes at IIM Bangalore's Bengaluru campus.

These exchange opportunities are expected to provide international exposure, strengthen academic collaboration between both campuses, and allow students to engage directly with India's leading management education ecosystem.

The initiative reflects IIM Bangalore's broader commitment to creating globally connected learning experiences while maintaining strong links with its home campus.

Partnership to Establish the Campus

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

The collaboration combines academic expertise with regional infrastructure development to create a hub for management education that serves Indonesia as well as neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.

Officials expect the campus to primarily cater to Indonesian students while also attracting learners from across the ASEAN region.

Part of India's Growing International Education Strategy

The Indonesia campus represents another milestone in India's expanding international higher education strategy under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The policy encourages leading Indian higher education institutions to establish campuses abroad, strengthen international research partnerships, attract global students, and promote India as a provider of high-quality and affordable education.

IIM Bangalore now joins a growing list of premier Indian institutions expanding internationally.

IIM Ahmedabad launched its Dubai campus in September 2025, becoming the first Indian Institute of Management to establish an overseas presence.

Similarly, IIT Madras inaugurated the first overseas IIT campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in 2023, followed by IIT Delhi, which opened its Abu Dhabi campus in 2024.

These initiatives reflect India's ambition to position its globally recognised institutions as international education providers while strengthening academic diplomacy.

Strengthening India–Indonesia Educational Cooperation

Beyond expanding access to management education, the proposed campus is expected to deepen educational, cultural, and economic ties between India and Indonesia.

Government officials believe the initiative will position Indonesia as a regional hub for management education while supporting knowledge exchange, research collaboration, leadership development, and innovation across Southeast Asia.

The campus also aligns with India's broader vision of supporting higher education across the Global South by making quality academic programmes accessible beyond its national borders.

Why This Matters

The internationalisation of Indian higher education marks an important shift in the country's education strategy. Rather than primarily sending students abroad, India is increasingly exporting its educational expertise through overseas campuses, academic partnerships, and cross-border programmes.

As global demand for internationally recognised business education continues to grow, institutions like IIM Bangalore are expanding their reach while strengthening India's reputation as a destination for high-quality management education. These initiatives also create new opportunities for research collaboration, student mobility, and regional capacity building, reinforcing higher education as a key pillar of international cooperation.

Editor's Note

The launch of IIM Bangalore's first overseas campus reflects the growing global ambitions of India's higher education sector. As institutions seek to expand beyond national borders, international campuses are becoming important vehicles for academic collaboration, talent development, and knowledge exchange.

The initiative also demonstrates how higher education is increasingly contributing to diplomacy and economic partnerships. By establishing campuses in strategically important regions, Indian institutions are not only extending their academic influence but also supporting broader goals of international cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development.

FAQs

1. Where will IIM Bangalore's first overseas campus be located?

The campus will be established at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Malang, Indonesia.

2. When will the campus begin offering degree programmes?

The campus will initially offer executive education programmes before introducing degree-granting management programmes during the second phase of development.

3. What subjects will be taught at the Indonesia campus?

The curriculum will focus on global supply chains, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, climate and sustainability, and healthcare management.

4. Is this IIM Bangalore's first international campus?

Yes. It will be IIM Bangalore's first overseas campus and the second international campus established by an Indian Institute of Management after IIM Ahmedabad's Dubai campus.

5. How does this align with India's education strategy?

The initiative supports the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages Indian higher education institutions to expand globally through international campuses and academic partnerships.