The students had travelled to Dubai as part of an academic exposure visit, a programme the institute has conducted annually for the past 15 years
Digital Desk: As many as 84 MBA students from the Indira School of Business Studies (ISBS) in Pune are stranded in Dubai following airspace closures triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The students had travelled to Dubai as part of an academic exposure visit, a programme the institute has conducted annually for the past 15 years. However, escalating regional tensions led to the sudden closure of airspace, disrupting their scheduled return.
University Dean Dr. Janardhan Pawar confirmed the situation, stating that all 84 students ,comprising 42 girls and 42 boys, are currently safe at their hotel in Dubai.
“Eighty-four of our students are stranded there. Every year, we take our MBA students to Dubai for academic exposure. We have been doing this for 15 years. They are safe in their hotel, and we are in constant touch with them. We are also in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs,” Dr. Pawar said.
According to officials, 40 students were scheduled to return to Pune on Saturday, while the remaining 44 were to board a flight on Sunday. However, due to the closure of airspace amid the West Asia conflict, both groups were unable to travel.
Indira Group of Institutes Chairperson Tarita Shankar also assured that the institution is closely monitoring the situation.
“All students and staff members are safe. We are in constant communication with them. We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs as well as the Ministry of Civil Aviation to ensure their safe and early return,” she said.
Meanwhile, all international flights from Pune Airport (PNQ) were cancelled on Sunday. Several UAE-bound flights from the airport had already been cancelled on Saturday due to the escalating situation.
Authorities are working to facilitate the safe return of the stranded students once flight operations resume.
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