The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) has recently concluded a training programme, in collaboration with renowned German business school WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, on 8 to 13 January 2023, that sought to train a group of WHU master’s students on the latest administrative systems and introduce them to the UAE’s exceptional experience in that regard.
 
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of MBRSG, said: “The ‘International Module in the UAE’ training programme, organised with renowned German academic institution WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management, is a great example of our dedication to collaborating with likeminded institutions and promoting our philosophy, inspired by the forward-looking vision of our wise leadership. The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government strives to outline an ambitious and calculated roadmap for the future to meet the UAE leadership’s aspirations and abide by its directives.”
 
“This is at the core of our mission, and with that in mind, we take every opportunity to train and empower the government and public policy leaders of the future, as well as to share our insight and expertise with aspiring leaders from around the world,” H.E. Al Marri added.
 
The programme aims to reinforce classroom teaching and allow WHU students to learn more about doing business in the UAE, using real-life case studies on culture, international business policies, global governance, crisis management, social entrepreneurship, competitiveness, and economics.
 
Dr. Immanuel Azaad Moonesar, Associate Professor in Health Administration and Policy, who was assigned to the programme, noted: “We were happy to welcome another cohort of promising MBA students studying in Germany to the UAE, where we introduced them to the inner working of our successful institutions and policies, further strengthening our – and the UAE’s – vast network of close partnerships with influential institutions from around the world.”
 
“This programme is a translation of the agreement we signed with WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management and allows us to live up to our role in preparing business professionals and leaders for the requirements of an increasingly volatile and rapidly developing future,” Dr. Moonesar said.
 
In his role as the Deputy Dean of WHU, Professor Dr Juergen Weigand expressed that “MBRSG provides our students with a fantastic opportunity to learn about a country’s economic development strategy and the interaction between the private sector and the government in a culturally distinct environment characterised by hard work and productive partnerships.”
 
Highlighting the collaboration with MBRSG, Dr Zeeshan Sultan, Program Director - MBA at WHU, noted that “the study trip to Dubai, in collaboration with MBRSG, provides WHU students the right mix of cross-cultural integration with academic frameworks to navigate the cultural and business environment in the UAE.”
 
Agenda
The programme included interactive lectures and workshops with expert instructors. Day one began with a Welcome Session, followed by a session with Mr. Saygin Yalcin, then a Welcome Lunch, before concluding with a Desert Safari and Dinner.
 
The second day of the programme was titled ‘University Day (MBRSG)’ and began with a talk on Culture and Global Governance, followed by another on Crisis Management in International Business featuring Dr. Immanuel Azaad Moonesar and Prof. Melodena Stephens, Head of the Master of Innovation Management programme at MBRSG. The day then continued after lunch with a session on the Macro-Economic Environment and Competitiveness with Dr. Mona Mostafa El-Sholkamy, Associate Professor at MBRSG, before concluding with a Dubai City Tour.
 
Attendees visited Abu Dhabi on day three, specifically, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), in collaboration with Professor Barry O’Mahony, Dean of the College of Business, Abu Dhabi University, in addition to a cultural visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
 
Meanwhile, day four included a visit to the Department of Economy and Tourism before returning to the MBRSG headquarters for a session on Social Entrepreneurship and Global Policies (COVID-19 Response) with Dr. Immanuel Azaad Moonesar and Prof. Melodena Stephens, as well as a talk on the tech industry by special speakers, Mr. Selim Edde, Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy- Cloud, Emerging Marekts and Rasha El Hallak, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager from Google, concluding with a Debriefing Session.
 
The fifth day of the programme saw participants head to the International Humanitarian City and Porsche Middle East & Africa, before ending with a Farewell Dinner. Meanwhile, the sixth and final day included a visit to Dubai Duty-Free before a final wrap-up.
 
As per the service agreement, MBRSG agreed to develop and deliver a tailored Executive Education Study Trip for participants in the ‘Dubai Module’ programme, which included practical learning through case studies, exercises, and field visits.
 
Founded in 1984 on the initiative of the Koblenz Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management is a leading German business school, offering academic programmes and continuing education for executives throughout their career in two locations: Vallendar and Dusseldorf, Germany. The faculty focuses on three core areas of activity: academic programmes, research, and knowledge transfer in general management.
 
The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government is the first research and teaching institution focusing on governance and public policy in the Arab world, offering academic and training programmes that aim to train future leaders and prepare them to meet public administration and policy challenges across the region. Courses are developed and delivered by a diverse group of scholars, academics, and researchers.