VP highlights importance of investing in human capital
On the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed said that investing in human capital is essential to building a creative, innovation-driven economy, with the goal of empowering future entrepreneurs to transform ideas into impactful projects that address future challenges and benefit society.
Sheikh Mohammed expressed his delight in meeting graduates of the programme hailing from the UAE and around the world, encouraging them to harness the knowledge and entrepreneurial skills they acquired to shape a future built on knowledge, driven by innovation, and dedicated to improving quality of life.
Sheikh Mohammed also reaffirmed Dubai's position as a premier destination for creative minds and a global hub for shaping the future across vital sectors.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid met alumni of Dubai Business Associates programme. WAM
He emphasised the city's ongoing commitment to launching and supporting initiatives that nurture human potential and promote excellence.
The meeting was attended by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of His Highness the Ruler's Court, along with a number of officials involved with the programme.
Renowned as one of the world's most competitive business and education programmes, DBA receives over 5,500 applications annually from both international and UAE-based graduates. The programme is managed by Falcon Consultancy, a Dubai-based consultancy firm specialising in marketing, communications, events and innovation, which was established in 2009.
The nine-month course blends academic learning with business placements, industry networking, coaching, and cultural immersion.
Its tenth edition welcomed 36 participants from 22 countries, including nine Emiratis, for a nine-month training programme. Associates work on real-world consulting projects with leading Dubai-based organisations including Emirates, DIFC, dnata, DP World, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Since its inception in 2014, the programme has attracted 278 associates from 44 countries, including 56 UAE nationals. Furthermore, over 140 work placements have been completed, in partnership with over 30 of Dubai's leading companies. Added to that, 84 consulting projects worth $27 million have been delivered, providing myriad benefits for Dubai's wider business ecosystem.
In addition, over 30% of applicants come from QS Top 10 global universities.
DBA's academic and professional excellence is ensured by leading learning partners including PwC's Academy, Capadev, and Bon Education, who support the curriculum with world-class training and development to prepare Associates for their professional careers.
Separately, His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has received a delegation from the Family Business Council – Gulf (FBCG), led by Sheikha Hind Suhail Bahwan, Chairman of FBCG.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the contributions of family-owned businesses to broader economic and developmental efforts, as well as on opportunities to further enhance the business environment to support their growth and expansion into new markets and international destinations.
The delegation was received at the Majlis of His Highness the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at Al Bateen Palace, in the presence of Sheikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Khalifa Bin Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohamed Bin Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan; and Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, alongside a number of sheikhs, senior officials, business leaders, and local dignitaries.
The FBCG is a non-profit organisation established in 2012 in the United Arab Emirates. It serves as the regional affiliate of the International Family Business Network, aiming to support the continuity and long-term success of family businesses in the GCC by providing an integrated platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, training programmes and leadership development.
WAM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
25 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Emirates NBD sees over Dhs5bn in trades after year of zero-fee local equities offer
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Emirates NBD, one of the largest banking groups in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye, said customer trades on its zero-transaction-fee local equities platform have surpassed Dhs5bn in the 12 months since it launched. The initiative, introduced on August 26, 2024, allows investors to trade UAE-listed equities commission-free via the bank's digital wealth platform ENBD X. The bank said more than 300,000 commission-free trades have been executed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Nasdaq Dubai since launch, with access to over 150 UAE-listed equities. The mobile banking app ENBD X integrates banking, investment and advisory services, and offers features such as customisable price alerts, real-time investing and fully digital onboarding. Emirates NBD's zero-fee local equities offer received a strong response Marwan Hadi, group head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, said: 'We are pleased to see an outstanding response to the zero-transaction-fee trading initiative that we launched on our digital wealth platforms, accessible via ENBD X. 'One year on, our customers have embraced purposeful investment by investing in local equities. As a leading national bank, we are proud to transform how people invest, by providing an inclusive, accessible, transparent and affordable platform, while also supporting local businesses.' He added that innovation remained a core focus, with ongoing enhancements to ENBD X and the development of new products and services to meet evolving customer needs. Last year, Emirates NBD also launched fractional bonds on ENBD X as part of efforts to broaden access to financial markets. Read:
Arabian Post
38 minutes ago
- Arabian Post
Air Arabia launches seasonal flights from Abu Dhabi to Russia
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced the commencement of seasonal flights connecting the UAE capital to Yekaterinburg, Russia, marking an important step in the airline's expansion strategy. The new service, which will operate during the winter months, offers a direct, low-cost option for travellers between the two regions, catering to the rising demand for affordable travel during peak seasons. The flights, operating non-stop, provide an efficient travel option for those seeking to connect between the UAE and Russia. Air Arabia's Abu Dhabi-based operations have grown rapidly, with the airline seeking to solidify its position as a key player in the region's budget airline sector. The new route to Yekaterinburg highlights the airline's commitment to enhancing connectivity between the Middle East and Russia, particularly as demand for travel has surged. ADVERTISEMENT Yekaterinburg, one of Russia's major cultural and industrial hubs, has become a significant destination for business and leisure travel from the UAE. The city, which is located in the Ural region, is known for its rich history, thriving arts scene, and strategic importance as an economic centre. The direct flight to this city will make it easier for both tourists and business professionals to travel, bolstering the already strong ties between Russia and the UAE. This launch also reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry, where low-cost carriers are rapidly expanding their international routes to cater to an increasing number of travellers looking for budget-friendly travel options. As competition intensifies among airlines, Air Arabia's expansion is timely, offering more affordable alternatives to traditional, higher-priced carriers, and positioning the airline as a competitive force in the region. The decision to introduce seasonal flights also underscores Air Arabia's flexibility in adapting to seasonal travel demand. As the winter season typically sees an uptick in travel, the airline is poised to cater to holidaymakers and those travelling for business, aligning with the growing interest in international travel. By offering this seasonal route, Air Arabia aims to provide its customers with more options without compromising on affordability. For the UAE market, this development is significant. As the country continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for travel and tourism, having direct air links to cities in Russia, such as Yekaterinburg, provides an added dimension to the UAE's international appeal. The move comes as part of a wider strategy to enhance bilateral relations between the UAE and Russia, focusing on expanding both tourism and business opportunities. Air Arabia's service to Yekaterinburg is also expected to appeal to a broader demographic, especially Russian nationals residing in the UAE. The ease of direct travel will foster stronger connections between these communities and provide greater access to the cultural and economic opportunities of both countries. With Russia being a major trading partner of the UAE, the new flight route is expected to foster greater collaboration in both sectors. The airline has also taken steps to ensure that its passengers are well catered for. In line with its low-cost offering, the airline continues to provide high-quality service at an affordable price, which includes modern aircraft with amenities that appeal to a wide range of customers.
Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
Napster Corp's Sam Huber on how immersive tech is impacting the future of education
Image: Supplied Imagine learning from a professor who's available 24/7, speaks your language, and adapts to your learning style. At Imperial College London's IDEA Lab, that vision is already a reality, thanks to a video-based, AI platform that enables natural, intuitive chat with AI agents, now changing how students engage with complex topics. Across the Middle East, similar immersive technologies are being embraced not as novelties but as a new foundation for delivering education. The shift is already underway. When Dubai announced artificial intelligence would become a mandatory school subject in the UAE starting in 2025, it wasn't simply a policy decision – it was a clear signal. The region is preparing students for an AI-driven future, and an immersive learning environment plays a central role in it. We applaud the direction being taken and strengthen it with partnerships like the company's collaboration with These efforts represent a fundamental reimagining of institutional learning. Immersive tech + AI: Rethinking how students learn Immersive technology powered by AI has the potential to reshape learning. In a virtual field trip to Petra, for instance, AI can adapt the narrative based on a student's curiosity, slowing down for questions, offering extra detail where there's interest, and skipping what the student already knows. It becomes a dynamic, responsive experience. In science classes, simulations can pause or zoom in when students seem confused. In language labs, pronunciation tools adjust in real time. A more intuitive and supportive learning environment emerges — one that adjusts naturally to visual, auditory, and hands-on learners alike. The impact on higher education and professional training is even more pronounced. Medical students in Dubai can now perform virtual surgeries that respond to their skill levels, providing increasingly complex scenarios as competency grows. Engineering students build and stress-test structures in virtual environments that simulate real-world physics and material constraints. Architecture students walk clients through proposed buildings before the ground is broken, receiving immediate feedback that improves both design and communication skills. Immersive education: From vision to implementation The Middle East's approach to education technology reveals a crucial insight—they are not deploying technology for its sake. They are deploying technology that will help increase the level of engagement teachers have with their students and the curriculum that will help them succeed. This outcome-first mindset means greater efficiency. One immersive setup might be used for a history simulation in the morning, a biology lab in the afternoon, and a language immersion in the evening. The infrastructure supports multiple subjects without needing to be rebuilt for each one. Teachers are also finding their roles shifting—from content deliverers to experience designers. Their expertise is still central, but now it's increasingly used to create engaging, interactive sessions that bring subjects to life. Building with partners Transformation doesn't exist in isolation. Across the Middle East, governments, universities, and technology companies are building long-term partnerships to co-create new educational tools. These collaborations help institutions stay current without taking on the full development burden. The digital twin work at Imperial College is one example. They've developed AI-powered versions of real professors — digital teachers that adapt over time and provide students with tailored, on-demand guidance. It's not a replacement for educators, but an extension of what's possible in the learning experience. These kinds of partnerships ensure that the benefits — and the risks — are shared. Tech providers gain valuable insights from classroom use. Educators access tools they wouldn't be able to build alone. Governments see measurable progress toward national education goals. We are already seeing meaningful results. At INSEAD, over Why the Middle East's lead matters By investing early and aligning strategies across sectors, the Middle East is shaping a new model for education. The benefits go beyond classrooms. A generation of students comfortable with AI tools and immersive environments will enter the workforce ready for a digital-first economy. This leadership could also influence global approaches. As other regions look to modernise their education systems, many may follow the Middle East's example — not just in the technology used, but in the way outcomes, policy, and collaboration are integrated from the start. Looking ahead The next step is scale. For immersive education to move from innovation to infrastructure, it must be treated as an essential, as basic to the classroom as textbooks and whiteboards. This means continuing collaboration between innovators and educators. True success will be measured by the unique skills students gain—like spatial reasoning, cultural empathy, and scientific intuition—that traditional education can't provide. The Middle East is building something new—and in doing so, setting the pace for what's possible in education worldwide. Read:
