Autonomous Bodies
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), a Deemed to be University, was established in 1963, as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. It has contributed significantly towards the external trade sector of India through policy research andskill-building over the past six decades. The Institute has emerged as a leading Business School in the country and hasbeen consistently ranked among the top 10 B-Schools in the country.

The rich contributions in knowledge domain helped the Institute to earn the status of “Deemed to be University” in the year 2002. Over the years, IIFT has emerged as a national university withfocus on Trade, Economics and International Business, which is reflected in all major activities of the Institute viz. Research, Teaching and Training. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) recognized IIFT as Grade ‘A++’ Institution in its evaluations during 2005 as well as in 2015. University Grants Commission has graded the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade as Category –I Deemed to be University as per the provisions of the UGC [Categorization of Universities Regulations (only) for Grant of Graded Autonomy] Regulations, 2018.

MISSION AND VISION OF IIFT
Mission:

To be an Academic Center of Excellence in International Business research, training and education

Vision:

To create and foster a learning environment that enables participants to be leaders in international business with sensitivity towards society.

Beliefs:
  • Knowledge Brings All Gains (VidhyeyaLabhatheSarvam) Learning is preserved by Application (VidhyaYogenaRakshyate).
  • IIFT recognizes the importance of the fact that excellence in the creation of knowledge must be aligned with excellence in transmitting that knowledge.



The Institute’s portfolio of long-term programmes is diverse, catering to the requirements of aspiring international business executives and mid-career professionals alike. The programmes offered in the Institute are:

  • Ph.D. Programme at Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Two-year MBA (International Business) at New Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Two-year MA (Economics – Specialization in Trade & 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).
  • Post Graduate Certificate Programme in International Business and Finance (through TECH Mahindra).
  • Certificate Programme in Export Import Management: On Campus and Hybrid.



IIFT has following Divisions to promote and enhance Education, Research and Cooperation in the area of International Trade:

  • Executive Management Programmes (EMP) Division
  • Management Development Programmes (MDP) Division
  • International Collaboration and Capacity Development (ICCD) Division
  • Graduate Studies in Management (GSM) Division
  • Economics Division
  • Research Division
  • Division of Alumni Affairs
  • Corporate Relations and Placement Division
  • Publication Division
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES (EMP) DIVISION

The Executive Management Programmes Division (EMPD) has been conceived to provide training to government officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, exporters, corporate sector and civil society members to develop broader understanding of issues related to international business and its implications on trade policy. EMPD initiates programmes designed to generate views, opinions, analysis of contemporary trade and economic issues which are of interest to different countries, particularly the developing countries.
The course highlights of the Executive Diploma Programmes which the Division runs are as follows:

  • Course duration of 15 months with classes on three weekends of every month
  • Contact week at the start of each semester
  • Focus on upcoming areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Specialization opportunity to choose from International Business, International Marketing and International Finance
  • Exposure to Research Methodology through a structured research project
  • Extensive availability of online research database and reading material
  • Networking opportunity with highly placed alumni all over the world
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (MDP) DIVISION

The Management Development Programmes (MDP) Division of the Institute offers regular training programmes to the Officers/Executives of Govt./ PSUs, Corporate and Private Sector in the area of International Trade, International Marketing, Finance, Export Import Management, Global Supply Chain Management, Strategic Management, Human Resource, IT, Capacity Building for SEZs, Data Analytics, Trade Analytics etc. The division also conducts various in-service training programmes for various officers of Govt. of India including IAS and other All India Services.

IIFT is a nodal institute for conducting nine month residential foundation training programme for the Indian Trade Service probationers. Besides, Institute also conducts training programmes for the Officer Trainees of Indian Revenue Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Economic Service, Indian Statistical Service etc.

The institute has also been conducting a series of online certificate programmes on “Export Import Business” for exporters and entrepreneurs spread across country under NiryatBandhu Scheme of DGFT, Govt. of India. So far, more than 1350 exporters and entrepreneurs have been provided training under the scheme. Recently, at the initiative of DGFT, IIFT launched NiryatBandhu programmes through MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. This programme can be attended by anyone anywhere through online mode.

Further, the division also conducts the following long duration programmes through hybrid/online/on-campus mode.

  • Post Graduate Certificate Programme in International Business & Finance.
  • Certificate Programme in Export and Import Management through Hybrid mode.
  • EDP on Strategies for International Business.
  • EDP on Global Supply Chain Management.
  • Certificate course in Global Supply Chain Management for the officers of Armed Forces through DGR.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT (ICCD) DIVISION

The International Collaboration & Capacity Development (ICCD) Division of IIFT plays an important role in the Institute through establishing academic ties with domestic and international universities / institutions to enable joint training and research programmes. Student and faculty exchange is an integral part of the academic collaborations. The Institute, by obtaining membership of renowned international institutions, further consolidates the academic cooperation, student exchange, study tours and faculty exchange. The division also facilitates participation of faculty in National and International training programmes and conferences.

Capacity Development

Capacity development initiative of IIFT is aimed at providing academic exposure to IIFT faculty. During April to November, 2014, the Institute provided financial support to 03 Faculty members for national Conferences / Training / Seminar programmes and 01 faculty member for international training programme.

GRADUATE STUDIES IN MANAGEMENT (GSM) DIVISION

The Graduate Studies in Management (GSM) Division of the Institute is the nodal division for full time/long duration programmes in Management. The division processes the admission to the Institute’s week-end MBA and certificate programmes, besides providing administrative and academic support. It is the responsibility of the division to ensure smooth conduct of the programmes in coordination with all stakeholders, viz. faculty, students and all others concerned.

ECONOMICS DIVISION

The Economics Division of the Institute conducts the M.A. (Economics- Specialisation in Trade and Finance) Programme to impart advanced knowledge in Economics. The specific objectives of the Programme are as follows:

  • To prepare students to become excellent trade policy-makers and key strategists on trade issues in the corporate sector, involved directly or indirectly in international trade and financial transactions.
  • To equip students with a set of tools, which would help them to solve real world problems.
  • To prepare students to be full-time academicians, with specialized knowledge in international economics and finance.
RESEARCH DIVISION

Research holds great significance in the growth of the Institute as it provides a strong pervasive interface between creation of knowledge and training. It has developed substantial consultancy capacity in analyzing international business scenario and developing appropriate corporate strategies. The Institute has also been successfully bidding for both national and international projects. The Research Division keeps organizing crucial national and international conferences on contemporary themes from time to time, which brings together eminent resource persons both from multilateral bodies, government sector and renowned academic institutions. The Ph.D. Programme offered by the division is immensely well-acclaimed.
 

DIVISION OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS

Institute’s alumni network has a real-life benefit for current batch students. Alumni contribute their valuable time to offer career support and help present students with placements as well. This enhances students’ experience and provide them competitive edge to remain ahead in today’s tough business scenario to get placed at their respective organizations.

Division of Alumni Affairs (DAA) organizes Chapter Meets every year which plays a pivotal role in ensuring alumni interactions on a regular basis. Our alumni are working at leading positions in diverse industries and Chapter Meets (6 National and 2 International) act as a platform to reconnect them with the Institute.

CORPORATE RELATIONS AND PLACEMENT DIVISION

Placement process of IIFT is operated by students along with the Head, Corporate Relations and Placement Division (CRPD). Student Placement Committee members are elected by the students. Placement committee members give quarterly presentation about their activities and achievements to the Director during the Steering Committee Meetings to seek Director’s advice and instructions for better corporate reach and improvement in the placement process.

With the strong career development support, IIFT has consistently achieved 100% placement records. Placement is considered as one of the best indicators for performance of the students and IIFT placements compare very favourably with other top ten B-Schools in India.

 

PUBLICATION DIVISION

Publication Division brings out IIFT Journals, Newsletters, Working Papers and Seminar Series. Foreign Trade Review (FTR) is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal published by SAGE Publications India. The Journal intends to serve as a comprehensive forum for theoretical and empirical research on International Trade and Business. FOCUSWTO.IB is another peer-reviewed quarterly Journal published by the Institute. The objective of this interdisciplinary FOCUSWTO.IB is to encourage applications of conceptual ideas, research methods in international business and management. The papers are published on-line and uploaded on IIFT website (http://focuswtoib.iift.ac.in). In addition, Publication Division also publishes in-house quarterly Newsletter and hosts Working Papers and conducts Seminar Series.

Publication Division has taken an initiative to start a monthly seminar series. In the seminars, external experts are invited to present an academic research paper/topic and to interact with faculty members/research scholars at IIFT. One of the primary purposes for such events is to foster a vibrant research culture among faculty members and students.

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE AT IIFT
  • Centre for WTO Studies
  • Centre for Regional Trade (CRT)
  • Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL)
  • Centre for Trade Facilitation and Logistics (CTFL)
  • Centre for North Eastern Studies (CeNEST)