Dubai Business Associates, a unique talent development programme run under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has welcomed its seventh cohort to Dubai in September 2021.
The programme offers outstanding and ambitious graduates an unrivalled opportunity to study and do business in Dubai, a dynamic and multicultural hub for global commerce, to develop as future global leaders.
Employing an experiential and project-based learning approach, the DBA programme is a transformative experience for associates, who develop career-enhancing consulting skills and gain practical insight into the world of work.
Graduates from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, China, Brazil, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Greece, Guatemala, Tajikistan and Kuwait, alongside a number of Emirati colleagues, will be immersed in a comprehensive nine-month-long training and development journey which will act as a bridge to their future as global leaders.
The programme, which started in 2014, has so far graduated 180+ alumni from around all corners of the world. Former graduates have worked with the likes of the Emirates Group, DP World, Dubai Holding, Dubai Economic Development Department, Dubai Future Foundation, and Expo 2020 Dubai during their training and development journeys.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, James Maughan, Director of the Dubai Business Associates programme, said: ‘’Over the eighteen months we have been tested in our ability to deal with this unforeseen situation, but we have emerged out of it tougher. In many ways, Dubai, and the UAE, under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, has proved to be one of the best-prepared places to deal with this pandemic – having 23 graduates from 11 different countries attend daily in-person classes is testament to that.”
“Thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, this year’s cohort will benefit from the deep immersion into the latest technology and cultural trends showcased at Expo 2020 Dubai, as well as the programme’s practical, project-based learning pedagogy, which will equip them with the necessary skills to become tomorrow’s global leaders. Furthermore, their interpersonal skills and experience will be enriched by Dubai and the UAE’s cultural heritage and values.’’
Raja al Mazrouei, Executive Vice President of DIFC FinTech Hive, added: ‘’The Dubai Business Associates programme brings together top global talent and represents a one-of-kind training and development programme producing cornerstone research and strategy. DIFC Fintech Hive have been proud partners of the programme since its early days, and we look forward to continuing working with the graduates over the course of the coming year on a number of strategic and exciting projects.’’
Amanda Line, Head of PwC Academy Middle East, further remarked: ‘’For the fourth consecutive year, we are delighted to be partnering with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai Business Associates programme on developing graduates’ skills and acumen. Dubai has set the benchmark for leadership and future preparedness with such programmes and initiatives, and we are honoured to be part of the programme’s exciting journey.’’