Dubai Business Associates welcomes 27 graduates in 10th cohort

Dubai Business Associates, a fully funded program for young professionals, has selected 27 graduates from 22 different countries for its 2024/2025 cohort.

Selected from a pool of more than 5,000 applicants from 160 countries around the world, this year’s group includes participants from Europe, the United Kingdom, India, China, Indonesia, Canada, Malawi and Colombia, amongst others.

In the coming nine months, these ‘lucky few’ will enjoy a fully-funded program that will see them develop their leadership skills and work at major organisations in Dubai, including Emirates, Dubai International Financial Centre, DP World, Dubai Holding, and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

As part of the program, the graduates will develop key competencies in management consulting, such as organisational management, structured thinking and presentation skills, and work on their personal development. The program’s key learning partners include PwC, Capadev, and Bon Education, who will facilitate training courses and seminars, and provide mentoring.

Alongside classroom learning, graduates will gain real-world experience through work placements, where they will work on consulting engagements. In parallel, Dubai Business Associates enables graduates to develop a deep knowledge of Dubai and its role in the world, through cultural exchange, business workshops, and networking with industry leaders.

“A major drawcard for participants of the program is the innovative blend of professional and personal development, the contribution to ‘real world’ projects across the Dubai economic landscape, and the opportunity to collaborate with international peers,” said Rami Tawfiq, Director of Dubai Business Associates.

The intake comes shortly after the 2023/24 class celebrated its graduation, with records showing that most graduates of the program eventually land jobs at leading companies such as McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, Microsoft, and Google.

Notably, many of the graduates decide to stay in Dubai, which consistently ranks among the world's top cities of choice for expats.