India is expanding the international reach of its higher education sector with the announcement of a new IIM Bangalore Indonesia campus. The move is expected to give students across Southeast Asia greater access to one of India’s leading management institutions while strengthening academic ties between India and the ASEAN region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) will establish its first campus in Indonesia during his visit to the country and a joint press statement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
The new campus will be located at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Malang and is expected to serve Indonesian students alongside learners from neighbouring ASEAN countries.
IIM Bangalore Indonesia Campus to Open at Singhasari SEZ
The overseas campus will primarily cater to Indonesian nationals while welcoming students from across Southeast Asia. PM Modi said,
“We are going to establish an overseas campus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore in Indonesia. This will greatly benefit young people across the ASEAN region.”
The location has been selected for its growing reputation as an education and innovation hub. Situated within the Singhasari Special Economic Zone, the campus will also offer students closer links to businesses and industries across the region.
In addition, participants will have opportunities for short academic immersion visits to the Bengaluru campus. These visits will provide valuable exposure to India’s innovation ecosystem, business landscape and entrepreneurial culture.
Why This Matters for Students and Educators
For students across Indonesia and ASEAN, the new campus offers access to internationally recognised management education without the need to relocate to India.
Parents may also welcome the opportunity for their children to study within the region while benefiting from an Indian Institute of Management qualification. Meanwhile, educators and higher education leaders will see greater opportunities for academic partnerships, faculty collaboration and student mobility between India and Southeast Asia.
The initiative also reflects growing demand for internationally connected higher education that prepares graduates for regional and global careers.
India’s Expanding Global Higher Education Presence
The Indonesia campus joins a growing network of overseas campuses established by India’s leading institutions.
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad opened its first international campus in Dubai last year. It currently offers a one-year MBA programme designed for experienced professionals.
Meanwhile, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi inaugurated its Abu Dhabi campus on 2 September 2024 following an agreement between India and the UAE.
Earlier, in 2023, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras established the IIT Zanzibar campus in Tanzania, becoming the first IIT to launch a full international campus.
Although only a handful of Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management currently operate overseas campuses, many continue to expand their international presence through research collaborations, student exchanges and executive education programmes.
Strengthening India ASEAN Education Partnerships
The new IIM Bangalore Indonesia campus forms part of India’s wider strategy to internationalise its higher education system.
Beyond delivering management education, the campus is expected to strengthen research partnerships, encourage innovation and develop new opportunities for skills development across Southeast Asia.
For education leaders in the UAE and wider Gulf region, the announcement also reflects a broader trend of leading universities expanding internationally through regional campuses. Similar models are already attracting students seeking globally recognised qualifications closer to home.
As more institutions pursue international expansion, students will benefit from increased choice, stronger cross-border collaboration and greater access to world-class education.
The IIM Bangalore Indonesia campus represents another important step in India’s ambition to become a global education destination while deepening educational partnerships across the ASEAN region.
