Dubai Business Associates celebrates 10 years of developing graduate talent

Dubai Business Associates, a graduate talent program supported by the Dubai government, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week, marking a decade of developing future global leaders and global ambassadors for Dubai.

The anniversary was commemorated with an event at the iconic One&Only One Za’abeel, attended by members of the UAE and Dubai leadership, senior government officials, diplomats, C-suite executives, strategic partners, and more than 100 alumni of Dubai Business Associates from around the world.

Launched in 2014, Dubai Business Associates is a business and education program for young professionals. The nine-month course blends academic learning with business placements, industry networking, coaching, and cultural immersion.

Since its inception, the program 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 have been delivered, and according to the program’s lead manager, Falcon and Associates, these consulting projects have helped save over $27 million in consultancy fees.

As part of the celebrations at the event, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met with alumni of the programme and 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.”

Rami Tawfiq, Director of Dubai Business Associates, said at the event: “Celebrating our 10-year anniversary is a chance to reflect on the impact we’ve made and look ahead to an even more ambitious future. In the coming years, we aim to expand our reach to 200 markets, welcome new partners, and continue developing the next generation of global leaders with our innovative and practical approach to professional development.”

The Dubai Business Associates program is supported by learning partners PwC, Capadev, and Bon Education, and strategic partners such as Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and Emirates.

Now in its 11th year, Dubai Business Associates is renowned as one of the world’s most competitive programs for graduates, with over 5,500 applications that annually apply for the just 30 or so available spots.