Study Abroad Program Focusing on the Middle East

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS – Middle East Familiarization Program (MEFP)

The Center for Management & Professional Development (CMPD) is the executive education arm of the University of Dubai, a leading university in the United Arab Emirates established in 1997 with the support of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Since its inception, the university has built a strong reputation of excellence in the field of academia and, due to its affiliations with the Chamber of Commerce, has close links with the business community. The University of Dubai is the only university (accredited by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research) to earn international accreditation from both AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) for its business program and the ABET/CAC (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) for its Computing & Information Systems program.

Besides delivering internationally accredited professional programs and Executive Management Development programs, CMPD offers the innovative “Expand your Horizons - Middle East Familiarization Program (MEFP)” to undergraduate, postgraduate business school students and business investors. We realize that business crosses international borders each and every day, and the MEFP fulfills the various needs arising out of the globalization of business. MEFP specifically:

• Provides valuable insights into the Gulf region, one of the fastest growing economies that hold 56% of the world's oil reserves.
• Prepares today’s business students to be tomorrow’s business leaders by laying emphasis on international business.
• Equips both undergraduate and graduate students with the skills required to succeed in today’s ever-changing global economy by experiencing first-hand and therefore gaining a deeper understanding of the global business environment;

Through site visits and workshops delivered by expert speakers, the participants in the MEFP are exposed to:

• The UAE’s vision and strategies & how these strategies are planned and implemented.
• How Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the two leading emirates, are positioning themselves in the global market as financial, real estate, logistics, culture and tourism hubs, while at the same time holding on to their traditional roots without losing their unique culture.
• Insights into the GCC history, politics, culture, society and religion.
• The role of Islam in business and society.
• Special sector overview sessions on real estate, finance, tourism, logistics, healthcare, education etc. by industry leaders.
  

Site visits form an integral part of the program. Guided city tours to traditional markets (souqs), cultural and historical sites and corporate visits are arranged. Students get an opportunity to meet face-to-face with government officials, business leaders and senior management from leading private sector companies in order to get a feel for the developments taking place, what is being planned for the future and the way business is conducted.

 The MEFP typically runs for a week to ten days, but can be customized to the needs of the group and may run for up to three weeks.

CMPD has successfully designed, delivered, and coordinated several batches from overseas universities over the last five years. These programs are customized and designed to complement the readings and materials covered in class and could lead to assignment or project submission at the end of the program due to the large body of knowledge the students are exposed to.
Studying abroad through MEFP is an exciting and enriching experience, both academically and personally, as it gives students the chance to experience life in another country, develop a global business perspective, and broaden their viewpoint of the world.  In addition to building lasting relationships, students gain self-confidence, flexibility and the ability to thrive in a new environment. 

CMPD hopes that you, your business school or organization will take advantage of these opportunities to gain international experience. We look forward to partnering with you and if need be customizing your program. (Please visit our Photo Gallery on this link www.ud.ac.ae/cmpd/photogallery )

 

Below is a brief list of organizations and universities who have participated in the MEFP programs held by CMPD.

1. International Enterprise Singapore (A Ministry of Trade and Industry Enterprise from Singapore)

   CMPD delivers a bi-annual Middle East familiarization program for senior management executives and potential business investors from Singapore. The week-long intensive program is delivered in both Qatar and the UAE and more than 150 participants have attended MEFP over the last six years.

2. Learning Abroad Center, University of Minnesota

CMPD designed and delivered a three week program: “Dubai: An Emirate Emerges from the Sand & Sea” to a group of 25 undergraduate students.

3. University of North Carolina, Kenan Flagler School of Business

CMPD designed and delivered a week long MEFP program for a group of undergraduate business students in March 2011. The intensive one week program spread across Dubai and Abu Dhabi and was highly rated by the participants.

4. Nova Southeastern University, Florida, USA

CMPD hosted a group of 24 MBA students from the Huizenga School of Business. These students attended a four-day program that changed their perceptions of the Middle East region and provided them with an excellent opportunity to network with professionals from the UAE.

5. Meridian Junior College Singapore

A “Study Abroad Program” was delivered to a group of 15 students and faculty from Junior College, Singapore.

6. Singapore Institute of Retail Studies in Jewelry (2008)

The program was delivered to a group of jewelry Retail Professionals from Singapore and aimed to provide an insight into how Dubai has positioned itself as a trading hub and leader in gold and jewelry in the region. Workshops and networking sessions ensured that the participants could take away “lessons learnt” and also innovative strategies that would help them stay competitive in their businesses.


7. Senior Government Executives from Romania

Annual management workshops are delivered on relevant topics, such as: “Today’s Challenges for Leaders & Managers”; “Competitive Strategies for Competitive Organizations” and “Planning & Implementing for Total Success” etc. Senior UAE government officials and business leaders participate as panel members and speakers and share experiences and lessons learnt.

Testimonials of participants from:

University of North Carolina, Kenan Flagler School of Business

• This immersion trip was very educational and eye opening.  it was an intensive introduction to the Middle East and the UAE.  A great trip overall -  Branagen Fuller
• This experience truly was an immersion into Arabic culture and life meeting western business practices.  I have a much better understanding of the social, political and economic climate of the middle east specially Dubai as the hub and am excited by the opportunities in the region – Reed Barton
• My experience in Dubai exceeded expectations.  The mix of activities, tours and lectures was excellent and catered to the varied interests of the students in my group.  I am very excited to come back again and see how the city continues to develop – Valarie Grant
• I gained a great perspective on the UAE, both good and bad, that will forever impact my outlook on the world as a whole – Andrew Justice

University of Minnesota

• I learned so much on this trip and I believe it really helped break my cultural stereo types that the US has put in my head.
•  Overall, it may have been a very packed schedule but we learned a lot. I can see a big difference in the two countries, the US and Dubai and that was one of the main things that I wanted to get out of the trip.
• This trip really opened my eyes to the Middle Eastern world and I’ve had the best time. It was a great real world experience to international business among other things I would certainly recommend this program to everyone, regardless of major.
• Seth Werner, Marketing faculty at Carlson School, University of Minnesota and Coordinator of the Study Abroad Program - The students enjoyed the trip and learned a great deal. This program is proof that short term study abroad programs can help in transforming student’s lives. In preparation for this program, many students had to get a passport for the first time. That step alone helped them in their journey of becoming global citizens. Once in the UAE, you could see the stereo-types being confronted and real progress being made in expanding students thinking. I would like to encourage more faculty to take the time to help their students to experience the world beyond their own borders.

Nova Southeastern University, Huizenga School of Business

• Please accept my sincere thank you for a wonderful week in Dubai. The students are really excited and overwhelmed by their experience and really enjoyed the lectures and the visits. As they continue in their careers they will begin to understand the pressure of being expats and working globally. - Dr. Ruth Clarke, Associate Professor & Team Leader
• I would like to thank you personally for everything both of you have done for us while we attended our stay in Dubai.  From the hotel to the presentations, I have learned so much and have seen a different side of the Arab World which is not shown through the media.  It is a shame the media projects such a stigma on such a wonderful community and most beautiful and energetic society in Dubai.  I am looking into possibly moving to Dubai and opening a business.  I would love to keep in contact with you for future reference.  The program you and Dr. Clarke ran was one of a kind and I will never forget it.  Thank you. - D.W. Johnson,  Participant

Meridian Junior College

•  “On behalf of Meridian JC, I would like to once again thank you for being a wonderful host in showing us around Dubai and Abu Dhabi last week.  We truly appreciate all the help that you rendered us during our stay to make us comfortable.  We look forward to working with you again in the near future when we return to Dubai!” -  Eu Lin, Vice Principal

• Overall it was a meaningful and certainly an eye-opening experience. It has certainly raised my awareness for the emerging economy situation and taken me out of my comfort zone during the appropriate time in 5 days.- Participan

Usha Kaul
Director, CMPD
University of Dubai
Phone: +971 4 2072 706
Cell Phone: +971 50 5147 549
E-mail: ukaul@ud.ac.ae
                          
Sheroo Poonawalla
Coordinator Overseas Programs  
University of Dubai
Phone: +971 4 2072 707
E-mail: spoonawalla@ud.ac.ae