Out of 2,300 graduates, Dubai Business Associates selected just 30
Out of more than 2,300 applicants from all over the world, the Dubai Business Associates programme has selected ‘just’ 30 graduates for the 8th edition of its transformative nine-month journey.
Running 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 Dubai Business Associate programme grooms young professionals with up to three years of working experience and prepares them for a successful career in management.
For the 2022-edition of the programme, the organising committee received 2,300+ applications from people across all corners of the globe, from Brazil and the United States, to Russia, China and Vietnam, and places closer to the UAE such as Lebanon and Syria.
The lucky few – 30 from 17 countries – that have been selected will receive an action-packed programme comprising of training (on topics such as strategy, business, and leadership) and real-life consulting experience at organisations in Dubai. Among the placement partners are Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Holding, Dubai International Financial Centre, DP World, Emirates, Jumeirah and the Museum of the Future.
The Dubai Business Associate program is run by Falcon and Associates (which has been in the lead since the programme’s inception) and is supported by three learning partners: Capadev (a capability development firm), Bon Education (a program design specialist), and PwC (a professional services firm).
Capadev is responsible for the consulting skills training, and coaches the young professionals during their 12-week consulting project. Bon Education leads the development of soft skills, while PwC delivers training on hard skills and functional topics, such as management, operations and sustainability.
“We are excited to be working with 30 of the best and brightest minds on ground-breaking projects with our longstanding partners,” said James Maughan, Director of the Dubai Business Associates programme.
“We are also thrilled to welcome three Emirati graduates who, for the first time, will be attending the full duration of the programme as secondees from across the public and private sector, continuing to support Dubai’s future competitiveness while propelling the graduates’ career trajectories and personal development.”
The Dubai Business Associate programme was launched in 2014 with the aim of providing graduates with an opportunity to advance their management, professional and personal skills, while grooming future leaders – who ideally decide to settle in Dubai.
The 7th cohort of the programme consisted of 29 young professionals – they graduated in July this year.