Dubai, UAE (February 1, 2012) – The University of Dubai’s (UD) Center for Management & Professional Development (CMPD) recently finished hosting a successful month-long Global Discovery Program (Middle East – UAE & Qatar) for 32 students from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
The aim of this four-week immersion program was to give students a broad understanding of the Middle East as a potential economic, business and career opportunity. While here, the students visited some of the region’s most dynamic businesses in various industries and met industry leaders in person and were exposed to the role of Islam in the civic and economic space of the Arab world.
Students learned about the region’s economy and business practices through a combination of classroom lectures, field visits and networking opportunities with senior officials of both private and public enterprises. Visits in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha focused on sectors such as oil and gas, energy, real estate, travel and tourism, hospitality, logistics, retail, airlines, television and newspaper media, education and free zones.
Students visited companies in Doha such as the Qatar Olympic committee, Urban Planning and Development Authority, Qatar Financial Center, Al Jazeera, General Secretariat for Planning and Development, Qatar Gas – Ras Laffan Refinery and The Qatar Foundation. NTU student especially enjoyed participating in the BBC world TV program, ‘The Doha Debate.’
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi they visited organizations such as ADNOC, Masdar City, Atlantis, Emirates Airline, JAFZA, DP World, Tourism Development and Investment Authority, Al Fahim Group and New York University Abu Dhabi Campus. The students were able to personally meet up with Mrs. Raja Al Gurg and other board members of the Dubai Business Women Council, Mr. Mohamed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, Honorary Chairman of Al Fahim Group – a local home-grown family business based in Abu Dhabi, Mr. Mishal Kanoo, Deputy Chairman of The Kanoo Group – one of the largest independent, family owned, group of companies in the Gulf region, and the Private Majlis of Sheikh Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education, to get insights into the majlis culture.
“I learned not only how the Arab culture and Islam influence and play a pivotal role in the politics of the gulf countries, but also how rapidly the economy is expanding here,” said NTU student Benedict Heng. “The UAE and GCC in general have managed to maintain the delicate balance of inculcating cultural values and nurturing cultural growth amidst a burgeoning increase of foreign demand and influence,” he said. “I was honored to be given this excellent learning opportunity to be in one of the fastest developing parts of the world.”
“The program was a life-changing experience, which broadened my horizon and perspective of the development in the Middle East,” NTU student Muhammad Zafi Bin Mohamad Nasir said. “Throughout this trip, I believe it helped me grow both emotionally and intellectually. I would like to thank University of Dubai for being an excellent host by making our stay in UAE and Qatar very enjoyable.”