IIM Bangalore to Open First Overseas Campus in Indonesia, Strengthening India-ASEAN Education Cooperation

Last Updated: 8 July 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) will establish its first overseas campus in Indonesia during his State Visit to Jakarta on 7 July 2026. According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the announcement followed bilateral talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and forms part of wider efforts to deepen educational and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The initiative supports the objectives of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages leading higher education institutions to expand internationally and strengthen academic partnerships. The proposed campus will begin with executive education programmes, while full-time degree programmes are planned for a later stage, subject to regulatory approvals in both India and Indonesia.

The announcement was made alongside several bilateral agreements covering defence, space, telecommunications, and other strategic sectors, reflecting the expanding scope of the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Campus to Be Established in East Java

The overseas campus will be located in the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Malang, East Java, an emerging hub for education, technology, and innovation.

Its establishment is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 6 July 2026 between IIM Bangalore and PT Intelegensia Grahatama (PT IGT), the organisation responsible for developing and managing the Singhasari SEZ. Official information states that the agreement was signed by Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-Charge of IIM Bangalore, and Prof. Jitamitra Desai, Member of the Board of Governors, along with Indonesian representatives.

The collaboration aims to expand management education, encourage executive learning, and strengthen institutional cooperation between the two countries.

Key Highlights

Particulars

Details

Institution

IIM Bangalore

Campus Location

Singhasari SEZ, Malang, East Java, Indonesia

Campus Announcement

Confirmed: 7 July 2026

MoU Signed

Confirmed: 6 July 2026

Indonesian Partner

PT Intelegensia Grahatama (PT IGT)

Initial Offering

Executive Education Programmes

Future Expansion

Degree programmes after regulatory approvals

Target Region

Indonesia and the wider ASEAN region

Academic Rollout

IIM Bangalore has proposed a phased implementation plan.

Phase One: Executive Education

The first phase will introduce Executive Education Programmes (EEPs) for senior executives, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and public sector professionals. These short-duration courses are expected to focus on leadership development and industry-oriented management skills.

Phase Two: Degree Programmes

After an initial pilot period of around two years, the institute plans to introduce management degree programmes. This phase remains expected and will proceed only after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals from both governments.

Curriculum Focus

The proposed academic programmes will cover sectors that are becoming increasingly important in the global economy.

Proposed Academic Areas

Global Supply Chains

Digital Transformation

Artificial Intelligence

Climate and Sustainability

Healthcare Management

These areas are intended to address evolving industry requirements and prepare professionals for emerging business challenges.

Digital Learning and Academic Exchange

Learners are expected to have access to IIM Bangalore’s digital learning resources through the SWAYAM platform, where the institute serves as a national coordinator for selected Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

The proposal also includes short academic immersion visits to IIM Bangalore’s Bengaluru campus, allowing participants to gain exposure to India’s startup ecosystem, research environment, and industry collaborations.

Regional Importance

Although the campus is primarily intended to serve learners in Indonesia, it is also expected to attract professionals from across the ASEAN region. By supporting executive education and cross-border academic engagement, the campus may contribute to stronger regional cooperation in management education.

Alignment with NEP 2020

The overseas expansion reflects the broader vision of NEP 2020, which encourages internationally recognised Indian institutions to establish a global presence through academic partnerships, research collaboration, faculty mobility, and overseas campuses.

According to official government announcements, the Indonesia campus will become the fourth overseas campus established by a premier Indian higher education institution in recent years.

Institution

Overseas Campus

IIT Madras

Zanzibar, Tanzania

IIT Delhi

Abu Dhabi, UAE

IIM Ahmedabad

Dubai, UAE

IIM Bangalore

Indonesia (announced)

Timeline

Event

Status

MoU signed

Confirmed: 6 July 2026

Overseas campus announced

Confirmed: 7 July 2026

Executive Education Programmes

Expected: After implementation begins

Degree Programmes

Expected: After the pilot phase and regulatory approvals

Verification Note: Admission schedules, programme commencement dates, and application procedures have not yet been announced. Future updates should be verified through official notifications.

Fraud & Safety Advisory

Readers should rely only on information published by IIM Bangalore, the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and the relevant government authorities in India and Indonesia. Be cautious of unofficial websites, social media posts, emails, or individuals claiming to offer guaranteed admissions or early registration.

Never share OTPs, passwords, banking details, or original documents with unknown persons or agencies. Government institutions do not request admission approval through unofficial payment links. If you receive suspicious communication, verify it directly through the institution’s official contact channels.

Official Sources

This article is based on information available from the following official sources, retrieved on 8 July 2026:

  • Press Information Bureau (Government of India) – Press Release dated 7 July 2026
  • Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
  • Ministry of Education, Government of India
  • Indonesia Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs

Editorial Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational purposes based on official announcements available as of the Last Updated date. Programme timelines, academic offerings, implementation details, and regulatory approvals may change. Readers should verify the latest information through official notifications issued by IIM Bangalore and the relevant government authorities. In the event of any discrepancy, official notifications will prevail.

Conclusion

The proposed IIM Bangalore campus in Indonesia marks an important step in the internationalisation of Indian higher education and the continuing expansion of academic cooperation between India and Indonesia. The project is expected to begin with executive education programmes before expanding to degree programmes after the required approvals. Additional information on admissions, programme schedules, and implementation timelines is expected through future official announcements.

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