Dubai Business Associates has celebrated the graduation of its 11th cohort, with 37 young professionals from 21 countries now ready to make their mark in the business world in Dubai and beyond.
The graduation ceremony took place yesterday at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai and recognised the achievements of the Associates who successfully completed the nine-month programme.
The graduating cohort included 12 Emiratis alongside 25 international professionals from countries including Colombia, France, India, Peru, Russia, South Africa, the UK, and the US.
Dubai Business Associates is a fully funded programme, combining instruction with practical consulting experience across some of Dubai’s leading public and private sector organisations.
The programme is supported by educational partners PwC, CAPADEV, and Bon Education, who provided specialised training across leadership, strategy, business, and professional development.
Members of this year’s cohort delivered consulting projects for the likes of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Emirates, Digital Dubai, Dubai International Financial Centre, and Kerzner International. These projects spanned a range of topics, including strategy, sustainability, investments, and digital transformation.
“Through programmes such as Dubai Business Associates, Dubai continues to invest in both Emirati and international talent, equipping future leaders with the skills, experiences, and global perspective needed to contribute meaningfully to the future economy.”
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani
Director General, The Dubai Ruler’s Court
Voices from the graduation
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Partner “For eight years, dnata and DBA have partnered to create meaningful opportunities for young talent while delivering real business impact. Through placements and consulting projects across dnata entities, associates have gained valuable industry experience, with several progressing into permanent roles within the dnata family. We are proud of this partnership and excited to see the next generation of talent continue shaping Dubai’s future.” Noor Salman VP, dnata Cargo |
Associate, 11th Cohort “The DBA journey challenged us to grow far beyond our comfort zones, both professionally and personally. From working on strategic projects for major organisations in Dubai to presenting recommendations to senior leaders, the programme gave us opportunities and responsibilities that exceeded what many of us expected at this stage of our careers. What made this experience truly special was the sense of community — not only within our cohort, but through the generations of alumni. Dubai became far more than the place where the programme happened. For many of us, it became a second home.” Viktoria Zbojanova Slovakia |
Associate, 11th Cohort “Being with DBA exceeded my expectations. It helped me understand how consulting works in practice, how to manage time better, and how to communicate ideas more effectively. Most importantly, it helped me grow personally and professionally, and I believe these skills will support me as I continue building my career and leadership path.” Omar Al Darwish United Arab Emirates |
Since its launch, Dubai Business Associates has welcomed 349 Associates from 56 countries and delivered over 100 consulting projects.
With thousands of applicants from around the world each year, the programme is among the most sought-after in the industry.