British Student Scoops Accolade for Academic Excellence in World’s Most Competitive Graduate Management Programme

Two British students celebrate graduation from prestigious Dubai Business Associates programme, with one being recognised for academic excellence  

Two students from the UK are celebrating after completing the Dubai Business Associates (DBA) programme in a graduation ceremony held at the Emirates Group Headquarters, Dubai.

London-based Leya Ali, and Lady Gabrielle Ashong, are the only UK students to have joined 34 other associates, selected from 12,500 applicants worldwide, to take part in the highly sought after, elite graduate management programme, DBA.

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 DBA programme is a beacon of excellence in graduate management education. The fully funded, unique graduate programme provides talented young professionals with the opportunity to develop and strengthen their skills in strategy, business, and leadership.

Now in its ninth year, the Associates immersed themselves in a comprehensive experiential and project-based learning approach, delivered in collaboration with esteemed learning partners including PwC Academy Middle East, CAPADEV, and Bon Education.

Through a blend of experiential learning and project-based strategic assignments, they have honed their abilities to tackle global challenges faced by industry leaders in Dubai and beyond. Additionally, the programme has embedded cultural learning for a deeper understanding of Dubai as the Associates become ambassadors for the city when pursuing their chosen careers.

A keynote speech delivered by DBA partner Amira Al Falasi, Senior Vice President of Learning and Talent at Emirates Group, highlighted the significance of nurturing future global leaders in Dubai’s vibrant business landscape.

During the ceremony, a series of special awards were presented to outstanding individuals, recognising their dedication, accomplishments and contributions to the learning environment, leadership potential, adherence to professional standards, and exceptional performance during placements.  In addition, DBA’s esteemed partners were presented with awards recognising their steadfast commitment and support for the programme.

23-year-old Cambridge University graduate, Leya Ali, accepted the prestigious Faculty Award for her academic excellence and contribution to the learning community.

Remarking on her achievement, Leya said:

“I feel incredibly privileged to have been selected for the fully-funded DBA programme. The management throughout the nine months has been really supportive really guiding and helping me flourish, and making the most of opportunities while I was there in Dubai.

“Dubai holds all the ingredients to have that fast-paced, ‘hit-the-ground running’ environment. From network to culture and entertainment, Dubai has been one of the most pleasant experiences to live and to work in. The diversity within the workplace is truly impressive and I have always been welcomed with open arms by the locals.

“The overall DBA experience has not just been about the hard and soft skills you learn in relation to all things ‘professional’ and ‘work’. We were a cohort consisting of almost 20 nationalities, with entirely varied backgrounds and past experiences where there was so much openness about learning each other’s culture, religion and stories. DBA really is the place for learning and if you have the quench to study and work really hard in order to grow your skills, experience and business acumen during a small timescale, DBA is for you.”

James Maughan, Director of Dubai Business Associates, shared his pride in the programme’s ongoing success, saying:

“The DBA programme continues to be a beacon of Dubai’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation. We congratulate our graduates on their remarkable achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued success as they embark on their professional journeys. I am especially proud of this cohort’s achievements and am confident that they will continue to excel as ambassadors of Dubai’s dynamic business landscape.”

Alongside their classroom learning, the Associates simultaneously gained real-world experience by delivering consulting projects that addressed real-life problems for multiple partners. These partners included some of Dubai’s leading organisations, such as Emirates Airline, dnata, Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Expo City Dubai, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), and Falcon and Associates.

The DBA programme received applications from 166 countries for its tenth year, scheduled to commence this September. The programme eagerly anticipates welcoming the next generation of talented graduates, keen to launch their careers from Dubai.

For more information visit https://dubaibusinessassociates.ae/.