The Dubai Business Associates (DBA) programme celebrated the graduation of its ninth cohort today at Emirates Group Headquarters.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the programme continues to exemplify excellence in graduate management education.
The fully-funded DBA programme offers exceptional young professionals the chance to develop their skills in strategy, business, and leadership.
Since its inception in September 2023, 36 Associates from 20 different countries were selected from over 12,500 applicants. They participated in an intensive experiential and project-based learning programme delivered in partnership with PwC Academy Middle East, CAPADEV, and Bon Education.
The Associates actively engaged in real-world consulting projects for leading Dubai organizations such as Emirates Airline, dnata, Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Expo City Dubai, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), and Falcon and Associates. Consequently, this hands-on experience allowed them to address real-life business challenges, thereby making them valuable contributors to Dubai’s business ecosystem.
The ceremony began with James Maughan, Director at Falcon and Associates, praising the graduates’ achievements. Amira Al Falasi, Senior VP at Emirates Group, highlighted the importance of nurturing future global leaders in Dubai’s business environment.
During the event, presenters recognized several outstanding individuals with special awards. Maha Alshehhi from the UAE received the prestigious Emirati Award for exemplifying Emirati values.
Majed Bin Thaneya, also from the UAE, earned the Falcon Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic thinking. Leya Ali from the UK won the Faculty Award for her academic excellence and contributions to the learning community.
The presenters named Varika Pinnam from the USA as Best Fellow, and awarded Faris Hasan from India the Erin Langlards Award for his innovative solutions and commitment to excellence. They presented the Partner Appreciation Award to Emirates Airline, and honoured Expo City Dubai with the Consulting Prize Award.
James Maughan expressed his pride in the ongoing success of the DBA programme. “The DBA programme continues to be a beacon of Dubai’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation.
The DBA programme is already preparing for its tenth year, having received applications from 166 countries. The next cohort is set to begin in September, continuing the tradition of launching the careers of talented graduates.
About the Dubai Business Associates Programme:
To learn more, visit Dubai Business Associates.
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