Post by : Badri Ariffin

Under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Business Associates (DBA) proudly marked the graduation of its 11th cohort at a ceremony held at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre.

The program celebrated the achievement of 37 Associates hailing from 21 nations, which included 12 Emiratis among 25 international participants. Graduates came from diverse countries such as India, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, Colombia, Peru, Russia, Slovakia, and South Africa, exemplifying Dubai’s advancing reputation as a global hub for cultivating talent and leadership.

His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of His Highness The Dubai Ruler’s Court, stated that this initiative reflects Sheikh Mohammed's vision to augment Dubai’s role as a leading center for innovation and opportunity. He emphasized DBA's commitment to nurturing both Emirati and international talent, equipping future leaders with essential skills, experiences, and a global perspective to positively impact the economy.

Al Shaibani remarked on the program’s escalating growth and the surge in global interest, underscoring worldwide confidence in Dubai as a premier destination for leadership development and talent attraction. He underscored Dubai’s dedication to grooming future leaders through principles such as excellence, resilience, collaboration, and innovation.

The Dubai Business Associates is a comprehensive, fully funded nine-month program for exceptional university graduates. It integrates academic instruction with hands-on consulting experiences across leading public and private sector entities in Dubai. Participants gain practical insights via placements, consulting projects, and leadership growth initiatives while familiarizing themselves with Dubai's dynamic business landscape.

Throughout the program, Associates engaged in over 20 placements across sectors like digital transformation, sustainability, venture capital, retail, hospitality, tourism, and finance. They successfully completed eight consulting projects with key organizations such as the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Emirates Group, Digital Dubai, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and Kerzner International.

In spite of global economic hurdles, participants adeptly provided innovative strategies and robust solutions to pressing business challenges, exemplifying their adaptability and professionalism.

Since its inception, DBA has welcomed 349 Associates from 56 countries and conducted 100 consulting initiatives in collaboration with premier organizations throughout Dubai. Over the past 11 years, it has also facilitated the development of 68 Emirati graduates.

The program’s educational collaborators, PwC, CAPADEV, and Bon Education, offer specialized training in leadership, strategy, business management, and professional growth.

Several graduates were honored for their remarkable achievements during the graduation ceremony. Reem Lari from the UAE received the Emirati Award for outstanding academic and community leadership. Tom-Louis Flohrer from Germany was awarded the Falcon Award for his impressive leadership potential and embodiment of the program’s core values.

Michael Banks from the United States was recognized with the Faculty Award for his academic excellence, while Angelica Wilina from Indonesia claimed the Best Fellow Award for her positive contributions. Additionally, Viktoria Zbojanova from Slovakia was honored with the Erin Langlards Award for her professionalism and personal growth.

Graduates expressed their gratitude for the program, noting how it significantly enhanced their personal and professional development through strategic endeavors and exposure to influential business leaders. They shared that the experience refined their leadership and consulting skills and expanded their professional networks.

Applications for DBA’s 12th cohort, set to commence in September 2026, garnered over 14,284 applicants from 148 nations—more than doubling last year’s numbers, further elevating DBA’s standing as one of the world’s most competitive graduate development programs.

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