Indian Institute of Foreign Trade

{{Short description|Central civil service training institute}}

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{{Infobox university

| name = Indian Institute of Foreign Trade

| native_name =

| image_name = Indian Institute of Foreign Trade logo.png

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| latin_name =

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| established = {{Start date and age|2 May 1963}}

| type = Public Business school
Deemed-to-be-university

| vice_chancellor = Rakesh Mohan Joshi{{Cite news |date=5 June 2024 |title=Rakesh Mohan Joshi takes over as vice-chancellor of IIFT |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/rakesh-mohan-joshi-takes-over-as-vice-chancellor-of-iift/article68255733.ece |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=Business Line June 05, 2024 at 09:31 PM.}}

| budget = {{INRConvert|184.08|c}}
{{small|(FY2024–25 est.)}}

| academic_staff = 75

| administrative_staff =

| students = 1,034{{cite web|title=NIRF 2024 |url=https://www.iift.ac.in/iift/NIRF_2024.pdf|publisher=IIFT}}

| undergrad =

| postgrad = 836

| doctoral = 198

| other =

| city = New Delhi (HQ)

| country = India

| coor = {{coord|28|53|42|N|77|18|31|E|type:edu|display=inline,title}}

|campus = Multiple sites
{{convert|6|acre|m2}}

| former_names =

| free_label = Other branches

| free = {{hlist |GIFT City | Kolkata | Kakinada}}

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| nickname = IIFT

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| academic_affiliations = {{hlist | UGC |AIU}}

| accreditation = AACSB, NAAC{{cite web|title=NAAC Accreditation |url=http://www.naac.gov.in/images/docs/ACCREDITATION_STATUS/Institutions-accredited-by-NAAC-whose-accreditation-period-is-valid-as-on-September-2018.xls|date=September 2018}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.iift.ac.in/iift/index.php| www.iift.ac.in}}

| logo =

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The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is a public business school headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, India. It has been proposed to be declared as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India.{{Cite news |date=27 December 2022 |title=Government Proposing To Grant Status Of National Importance To IIFT |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/business/government-proposing-to-grant-status-of-national-importance-to-iift-news-248736 |access-date=27 December 2022 |work=Outlook India 27 Dec 2022 8:43 pm}} Established in 1963, it functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India. It also serves as a training institute for the probationary officers of the Indian Trade Service. Its headquarters are in New Delhi and it has additional campuses in GIFT City, Kolkata and Kakinada.{{Cite web|title=About IIFT|url=https://www.iift.ac.in/iift/about.php|access-date=2022-08-09|website=IIFT|language=en}}

History

The institute was established as a Centre of Excellence in International Trade and Business in 1963. It is as an autonomous educational institute under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.{{Cite web|title=Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)|url=https://commerce.gov.in/about-us/autonomous-bodies/indian-institute-of-foreign-trade-llft/|access-date=2021-11-22|website=Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India|language=en}}

It was granted "Deemed to be University" status in 2002. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has recognized IIFT as a Grade ‘A+’ Institution in January 2024.{{Cite web|title=Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)|url=https://news.careers360.com/iift-awarded-naac-a-plus-grade-in-third-assessment-cycle|access-date=2024-03-03|website=news.careers360.com}}

Campuses

= IIFT Delhi Campus =

File:IIFT Delhi.jpg

File:IIFT Delhi road.jpg is on the right.]]

The IIFT Delhi campus is located in Qutub Institutional Area, overlooking green ridge and historical Qutub Minar. The campus is spread over 6.5 acres of land houses, two academic blocks and two residential blocks for students and visiting faculty.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

=IIFT Kolkata Campus=

On Dec 2005 decision was taken to start new campus in city of Kolkata.{{Cite news |last=Goel |first=Deepak |date=23 Dec 2005 |title=IIFT to start new campus in Kolkata |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/24/stories/2005122400461700.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/httpswww.thehindubusinessline.com20051224stories2005122400461700.html/IIFT%20EStablished%20date/ |archive-date=6 Jan 2025 |access-date=23 Dec 2005 |work=Business Line |location=New Delhi}} IIFT's Kolkata Campus is located in East Kolkata, near Ruby Hospital, in a sprawling area of around 7 acres. The campus is developed as a green and fully integrated campus with independent blocks for academic, administration and student living areas with all modern amenities. The campus also houses three water bodies to maintain ecological diversity.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

=IIFT Kakinada Campus=

In 2018, then Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu, in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for 3rd campus of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in Kakinada of East Godavari district at Andhra Pradesh.{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/stone-laid-for-iift-iip/article22854840.ece |title=Stone laid for IIFT |date=26 Feb 2018 |access-date=22 Oct 2018 |website=The Hindu}} The State Government has allotted 25 acres land to build the Campus.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/iip-iift-campuses-get-land-in-kakinada-sez/articleshow/58185266.cms |title=IIFT campus get land in Kakinada |date=15 April 2017 |access-date=22 October 2018 |website=The Times of India |author=Manish M}} Starting of IIFT full time 5 year integrated MBA(IB) Programme in a temporary premises at Kakinada has been approved.

=IIFT GIFT City Campus=

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is set to attend the 55th convocation ceremony in August 2022, had announced the setting up of the International IIFT Campus in GIFT City in the state of Gujarat.{{Cite news |last=Seth |first=Dilasha |date=23 August 2022 |title=Goyal calls for setting up of an international IIFT campus at Gujarat’s GIFT City |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/goyal-calls-for-setting-up-of-an-international-iift-campus-at-gujarat-s-gift-city-11661273047154.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823171343/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/goyal-calls-for-setting-up-of-an-international-iift-campus-at-gujarat-s-gift-city-11661273047154.html |archive-date=23 August 2022 |access-date=23 August 2022 |work=Livemint 23 Aug 2022, 10:40 PM IST}}

=Overseas Dubai Campus=

In October 2024 an MoU has been signed between Vice-chancellor of IIFT and UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy and CEO of Expo City Dubai to establish IIFT's Dubai campus.{{Cite news |date=7 October 2024 |title=Indian Institute of Foreign Trade to open first overseas campus in Dubai |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-institute-of-foreign-trade-to-open-first-overseas-campus-in-dubai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007140146/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-institute-of-foreign-trade-to-open-first-overseas-campus-in-dubai |archive-date=7 October 2024 |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=Khaleej Times Mon 7 Oct 2024, 5:54 PM |publisher=Emirates News Agency}}

= Facilities =

{{unreferenced section|date=September 2021}}

==Hostel facilities==

The full-time MBA (International Business) is a fully residential program.{{Cite web|title=IIFT|url=https://www.iift.ac.in/iift/hostel.php|access-date=2021-09-03|website=www.iift.ac.in}}

==Library==

The institute has a collection of books by eminent authors on Trade, Economy, Management and WTO related issues. It also has a collection of journals, research reports, company reports, CD-ROMs, video cassettes, International Trade Statistics and Databases. Apart from books on traditional Management and Economics related areas, the library has a large collection of books on upcoming areas like WTO, Intellectual Property Rights, Services Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Trade Finance, e-Business, Global Business Strategies, International Business Law, and Information Technology, etc. The library also subscribes to over 235 journals and periodicals and publications of national and international organizations such as the UN, ITC, UNCTAD, WTO, IMF, World Bank, Ministries and Departments of Government of India.

Academics

=Academic programmes =

  • Two-year MBA (International Business) at New Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Ph.D. (Management) Programme at Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Ph.D. (Economics) Programme at Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Two-year MA (Economics – Specialization in Trade and Finance) at New Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Two years & six months MBA (International Business) Weekend at New Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Executive Post Graduate Diploma in International Business at New Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Executive Post Graduate Diploma in International Business (Hybrid) at Delhi.
  • Executive Post Graduate Diploma in International Business (On-campus) at Delhi.
  • Two Years MBA in International Business in collaboration with the Institute of Finance Management, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  • Post Graduate Certificate Programme in International Business and Finance (Hybrid).
  • Certificate Programme in Export Import Management.

IIFT has, over the years, undertaken research studies with organisations like World Trade Organization, World Bank, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. IIFT has also trained more than 40,000 business professionals across 30 countries via its management development programmes.{{cite web|url=http://www.iift.edu/new/|title=Welcome to Indian Institute of Foreign Trade|access-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319123516/http://www.iift.edu/new/|archive-date=19 March 2012|url-status=dead}}

=Selection Process=

Selection in IIFT is a four-pronged process:

  1. The entrance test takes place in November, for admission in MBA;{{Cite web|url=https://admission.aglasem.com/iift-2020/|title=IIFT 2020 - Exam Date (1 Dec), Registration, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, iift.nta.nic.in|date=2019-09-09|website=AglaSem Admission|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-09}} it is a computer-based test conducted by the National Testing Agency.
  2. A short-list based on the test scores is used to invite students for a Group Discussion. Topics of national and international importance across social, political, economic and corporate domains are given as individuals are tested on their group discussion skills.
  3. A Writing Ability Test is conducted to test the candidate's writing skills, along with knowledge of the subject and structure of representation.
  4. A Personal Interview is done which has a distinct focus on goals, achievements, knowledge and awareness.

All of the three ability tests are normally held on a single day. A cumulative weighted score depending on the rules of that particular year of examination is taken to identify the final short-list of candidates separately for IIFT Delhi & IIFT Kolkata.

For admission in M.A. in economics (Specialization in Trade and Finance),{{cite web | url=https://www.iift.ac.in/iift/maeco.php | title=IIFT }} an entrance test based on Economics and Finance is held. The final merit list along with the student's preference decides a short-list for IIFT Delhi & IIFT Kolkata.

=International Collaborations & Student Exchange Programmes=

IIFT Exchange Programme{{Cite web|url=http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/student-exchange.php |title=IIFT |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808121621/http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/student-exchange.php |archive-date=8 August 2015 |url-status=dead }} is an outcome of the institute's academic collaboration with institutions across the world. These collaborations are mainly for student, faculty exchange programmes, joint collaborations on research and various other capacity building exercises.

IIFT has developed relations with many international organizations{{Cite web|url=http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/international-affilation.php |title=IIFT |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822035507/http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/international-affilation.php |archive-date=22 August 2015 |url-status=dead }} by signing MoUs and participating in their activities or taking collaborative initiatives. IIFT has international accreditation from Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).{{Cite web|url=https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited/i/indian-institute-of-foreign-trade|title=Indian Institute of Foreign Trade|access-date=3 March 2024}} The institute is also a member of the following international organizations:

  • Academy of International Business (AIB)
  • Association of Management Development Institutes in South Asia (AMDISA)
  • International Association of Trade Training Organization (IATTO)
  • The European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)

=Rankings=

{{Infobox India university ranking

| type= University

| NIRF_B_2022 = 24

| NIRF_B_2023 = 27

| NIRF_B_2024 = 15

}}

IIFT was ranked 60th in the world and 1st in India for International Trade education (Masters/MBA) in 2024 by QS World University Rankings.{{Cite web|title=IIFT QS|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/indian-institute-foreign-trade|access-date=2024-06-18|website=www.topuniversities.com}}{{Cite web|title=India QS|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/international-trade-rankings-mba-masters?countries=in|access-date=2024-06-18|website=www.topuniversities.com}} It was ranked 51st best B-school globally by LinkedIn in 2024,{{Cite web|title=LinkedIn rankings|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-top-mba-2024-100-best-business-schools-grow-your-z0qkc/?trackingId=ZRpfvm8HSg2w9NPlDv06fg%3D%3D|access-date=2024-09-13|website=www.linkedin.com}} and in the same rankings it was ranked 1st globally in terms of its Networking capability.{{Cite web|title=IIFT best globally|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/b-school-staying-power-look-behind-our-top-mba-ranking-39vtc/|access-date=2024-09-13|website=www.linkedin.com/}}

IIFT was ranked 7th best B-school in India in 2024 by Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF).{{Cite web|title=Top MBA Colleges in India 2024

|url=https://iirfranking.com/ranking/top-mba-colleges-in-india|access-date=2024-03-03|website=iirfranking.com/}} It was ranked 9th best B-school in India in 2023 by India Today.{{Cite web|title=India's best B-schools 2023|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/india-s-best-b-school/story/20231113-indias-best-b-schools-2023-channeling-the-change-2457597-2023-11-03|access-date=2024-03-03|website=www.indiatoday.in}} It was ranked as the most competitive B-school in India by Unstop (formerly Dare2Compete) for the year 2023.{{Cite web|title=Unstop Competitive Colleges 2023|url=https://unstop.com/awards/unstop-top-10-competitive-b-schools-2023|access-date=2024-06-18|website=unstop.com}}{{Cite web|title=D2C Competitive B-Schools 2021|url=https://unstop.com/awards/d2c-competitive-business-schools-2021|access-date=2021-09-01|website=unstop.com}}

=Port Visit and Social Awareness Program=

IIFT also offers its students opportunity to visit various national and international ports. Students can choose their port of choice and are accompanied by faculty members during the visit. This is in line with the goal of providing practical exposure to what is being taught in class.{{Cite web|url=http://cc.iift.ac.in/docs/iift/faq.asp |title=Welcome to IIFT |access-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729001853/http://cc.iift.ac.in/docs/iift/faq.asp |archive-date=29 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}

The institute also has a month-long social awareness program, in which several NGOs such as Muskaan Foundation are invited to the campus to pitch their projects to the students. The students are then allowed to choose any NGO of choice and have to work closely with the NGO for the next month. The SAP is a part of the course curriculum, and IIFT is one of the few institutions who have undertaken similar social programs.{{Cite web|url=http://cc.iift.ac.in/docs/iift/csr.asp |title=Welcome to IIFT |access-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721112907/http://cc.iift.ac.in/docs/iift/csr.asp |archive-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}

=Papers and publications=

The research carried out by the institute is widely disseminated in the form of study reports, monographs and occasional papers. The major beneficiaries of these research findings are academicians, policy makers, trade and industry, multilateral organizations, researchers and NGOs. In addition, the Institute publishes a quarterly journal [https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ftr Foreign Trade Review]{{cite web|url=http://ftr.sagepub.com/|title=Foreign Trade Review - SAGE Journals|access-date=26 April 2017}} published by SAGE Publications. The journal focuses on key relevant areas such as international trade, finance, econometrics, IT, WTO, Trade blocs and marketing. Focus WTO,{{cite web|url=http://cc.iift.ac.in/research/research.asp?menuid=13|title=Research Division : Focus WTO|access-date=26 April 2017}} another quarterly journal published by the Institute focuses exclusively on WTO related issues. Each issue of the journal is thematic. An electronic magazine E-Zine is also published by the Centre for International Trade in Technology of IIFT.

Organization and administration

=Centres at IIFT=

==Centre for International Trade in Technology==

It is an institution in which roles of active players in international technology trade especially those of Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Ministry of Science and Technology are proposed to be synthesised.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iift.edu/iift/citt |title=IIFT ::. CITT ::. Welcome! |access-date=3 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518105654/http://www.iift.edu/iift/citt/ |archive-date=18 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}

==Centre for WTO Studies==

The major objective of the centre has been to provide research and analytical support on a continuous basis to the Department of Commerce on identified issues pertaining to the World Trade Organization. In addition, it is also tasked to carry out research activities, bring out Publications on WTO related subjects, carry out Outreach & Capacity Building programmes by organising seminars, workshops, subject specific meetings etc., and to be a repository of important WTO documents in its Trade Resource Centres{{cite web|url=http://cc.iift.ac.in/research/index.asp|title=Research Division @ Indian Institute of Foreign Trade|access-date=26 April 2017|archive-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205184112/http://cc.iift.ac.in/research/index.asp|url-status=dead}}

==Centre for Trade and Investment Law==

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) was established in the year 2016 and the centre's primary objective is to provide sound and rigorous analysis of legal issues pertaining to international trade and investment law to the Government of India and other governmental agencies. Further, the Centre aims to create a dedicated pool of legal experts who could provide technical inputs for enhancing India's participation in international trade and investment negotiations and dispute settlement. In addition, the Centre aims to be a thought leader in the various domains of international economic law such as WTO law, international investment law and legal issues relating to economic integration.{{cite web|url=https://ctil.org.in |title=Centre for Trade and Investment Law - Homepage |access-date=3 January 2022}}

==Centre for MSME Studies==

The growing importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the economy as a whole and External Trade, in particular, has prompted IIFT to establish a separate Centre for MSME studies which can act as a catalyst to the internationalization of MSME activities. The center has become operational from 2005. The Centre for MSME Studies at IIFT provides continuous support to the MSME sector by carrying out activities which can be broadly classified into conducting Training Programmes, provision of Business Intelligence services through a Databank and acting as a catalyst for Interfacing with other concerned and associated institutions.{{cite web|url=http://www.smeiift.com/|title=Centre for SME Studies.|access-date=26 April 2017}}

==Centre for North-Eastern Studies (CeNEST)==

North Eastern Council (NEC) has entered into an agreement with Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) for the setting up of Centre for North Eastern Studies (CeNEST) at IIFT Kolkata Campus.

The centre would facilitate the North Eastern states in policy making, strategic planning and effective implementation of various trade promotion schemes and undertake research and analysis on issues relating to international trade and business, capacity building and serve as a knowledge partner. It will help the states in exploiting the potentials of exports of the products from the region and promote innovations in business.{{Cite news|date=22 May 2019|title=NEC inks MoU for study centre at IIFT Kolkata|work=The Shillong Times|location=GUWAHATI|url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2019/05/22/nec-inks-mou-for-study-centre-at-iift-kolkata/|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522180531/https://theshillongtimes.com/2019/05/22/nec-inks-mou-for-study-centre-at-iift-kolkata/|archive-date=22 May 2019}}

Student life

The institute has a student body called International Management Forum (IMF). IMF is the official{{Cite web|url=http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/student-council.php |title=IIFT |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805074339/http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/student-council.php |archive-date=5 August 2015 |url-status=dead }} representative student body at IIFT which acts as a coordinator for, and provides administrative support to, various student activities and events at IIFT besides taking policy decisions regarding student affairs in consultation with the Director/Chairperson/Programme Director.

Among the key roles of IMF is co-ordination and supervision of the activities of various domain-specific clubs and cells. 6 clubs{{Cite web|url=http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/clubs.php |title=IIFT |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805074333/http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/clubs.php |archive-date=5 August 2015 |url-status=dead }} and 7 cells{{Cite web|url=http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/cell.php |title=IIFT |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016232123/http://edu.iift.ac.in/iift/cell.php |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=dead }} work to ensure collaborative and comprehensive learning round the year. The clubs impart domain and industry-specific knowledge via Knowledge Transfer Sessions throughout the year. Also the practical learning experience is enhanced through the regularly scheduled competitions-case studies, Group discussions, quizzes, etc. Live projects from various corporates in all domains are also brought by clubs, which ensures significant industry exposure. The activities of the clubs and cells are supervised by the General Secretary, a member of the IMF.

Notable alumni

  • Rashesh Shah, founder of Edelweiss Capital{{cite news|title=Rashesh Shah's journey from a small office in Nariman Point to Edelweiss House|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/corporate-dossier/rashesh-shahs-journey-from-a-small-office-in-nariman-point-to-edelweiss-house/articleshow/36122906.cms|access-date=26 April 2018|work=The Economic Times|date=6 June 2014}}
  • Ruchita Misra, author
  • Aseem Puri, CEO Unilever Korea & CMO Unilever International
  • Manu Sawhney, former CEO, ICC
  • Mohit Malhotra, CEO Dabur
  • Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)
  • Aashisha Chakraborty, author and management professional

See also

References