Our Story

Welcome Event stands as a testament to the tradition of bridging generations and fostering a vibrant academic community. This event was more than just an introduction; it was a pivotal moment where new students were warmly embraced into the university's fold.

During this gathering, students were not merely recipients of university regulations, but participants in an interactive journey of discovery. The university's ethos and guidelines were imparted in a way that intertwined tradition with modernity, ensuring that each newcomer felt both a part of a legacy and a harbinger of innovation.

The networking aspect of the event was a captivating dance of conversations and camaraderie. In those times, social media was not the primary means of connection; it was face-to-face interactions that laid the foundation for enduring relationships. Students shared stories of their diverse backgrounds, aspirations, and dreams, finding common ground in their pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre and Dubai Cares, a civil society organization formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications, have unveiled plans for a new school in Nepal as part of Dubai Cares’ ‘Adopt a School’ initiative. The project, which was selected for special support by the University as it marks the 15th anniversary of its Middle East Centre in Dubai, has involved the University’s regional community of students and alumni in fundraising to support the project.

was an exquisite hybrid occasion designed to warmly embrace the arrival of our latest batch of aspiring students! This event marked the commencement of a remarkable journey for our new students, as they embarked on their educational voyage with us. It was a time of excitement and anticipation, as we gathered both in-person and virtually to introduce these eager minds to the enriching world of business and management. Through a blend of physical presence and digital connection, we celebrated the beginning of an extraordinary chapter in the lives of our students.

The 8th Graduation Ceremony marks a significant moment for The University of Manchester as it comes together to honor and commend its newest cohort of graduates. This occasion not only serves as a platform for reaffirming and revitalizing important partnerships but also stands as a testament to the accomplishments of these accomplished individuals, serving as an inspiration to both current and prospective students. Attended by esteemed family members, distinguished VIP guests, devoted students, and proud alumni of The University of Manchester in the Middle East, the event is a heartwarming culmination of academic journeys.

COVID-19 is having a fundamental impact on societies, economies, business organisations and people. This webinar will analyse and discuss the potential medium and long-term consequences of the coronavirus crisis for international business strategy. In particular, this webinar will address and speculate about the implications of economic, societal and political challenges in the external international environment for international business strategy and global leadership. This is a great experience for MBA in Dubai students and prospects.

About Prof Stefan Zagelmeyer

Prof Dr Stefan Zagelmeyer is Reader in Comparative and International Business at Alliance Manchester Business School, Manchester, UK. Stefan has spent more than half of his life in higher education and research in more than 10 countries on five continents. He has held appointments at Manchester School of Management (UK), Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas (France), Turku School of Economics (Finland), University of Twente (the Netherlands) and the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa).

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre was delighted to conduct an exclusive webinar on how the Manchester Global Part-time MBA can transform your career. Learn about the real impact and benefits of an MBA from our panel of distinguished MBA alumni as they take you through their learning journeys. Whether it’s career acceleration, a career switch, or a more entrepreneurial career path, our guest speakers have a very personal story to share about the impact of the MBA on their careers and lives, and how others could achieve similar success.

In a remarkable achievement, The University of Manchester Middle East Centre emerged triumphant by clinching the prestigious title of Best MBA Program at the renowned Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards 2019, a remarkable event that unfolded in the vibrant city of Dubai, UAE. The center's dedication to academic excellence and commitment to shaping future leaders were acknowledged and celebrated on this auspicious occasion. This recognition stands as a testament to the center's relentless pursuit of providing top-tier education and fostering a transformative learning environment. The accolade further solidifies the center's position as a beacon of educational innovation and sets a high standard for aspiring MBA programs across the Middle East.

Over a hundred MBA students and alumni in Dubai enthusiastically participated in the remarkable 3rd Annual Career Networking Event hosted by The University of Manchester Middle East Centre. This engaging event transported attendees back to the year 2019, where the air was abuzz with anticipation. The highlight of the gathering was an enlightening panel discussion centered around the theme of Employability and Career Trends for the year.

The University of Manchester announces plans to strengthen its presence in Dubai by building on the success of the regional centre and renaming it The University of Manchester Middle East Centre, along with the launch of the first of a suite of new industry-led Master’s programmes. As an early entrant to the Dubai and regional business education market and innovator of transnational education, the University aims to build on the strong relationships with government, corporates and educational partners in the region and continue to further strengthen UAE-UK relationships through research, innovation and commercialisation.

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre launches a new specialist Master’s degree programme - the new MSc International Healthcare Leadership is a 2-year, part-time blended learning programme designed for experienced and qualified medical and management professionals in the Middle East. The first regional cohort of 21 students is inducted in September 2017. The healthcare sector is one of the most dynamic industries in the region with continuing investment by the public and private sectors, and a growing need for talent to optimise this investment.

MBS passes the 2,000 student milestone as it celebrates its 10^th anniversary  in the region. Today, MBS Middle East Centre continues to be the largest and fastest growing centre in the MBS international network.

In 2016, MBS held its first inaugural Careers Fair in Dubai. Over 120 MBS students and alumni had the opportunity to meet with over 25 recruiters who were interested in recruiting MBS MBAs for a variety of roles across different sectors. Participating companies included Nokia, Nestle, Mott Macdonald, Crowe Horwath, Deloitte, PwC, EY, Mackenzie Jones, Manpower, Hays, Dubai World Trade Centre and Hilti.  Following the success of MBS' first Career Fair in the Middle East,  the event will remain a key feature of MBS'  Middle East annual event calendar.

An MBS Middle East team of 50 runners competed in the annual Dubai Creek Striders half marathon to mark the 50^th anniversary of MBS worldwide. MBS’ “50 for 50” team also raised funds for the School's chosen charity in the region, Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs. Since then, MBS' community in the Middle East actively gives back to the community by raising money for charities and by supporting our partners' give back to the community initiatives such as ACCA's 2016 Blood Donation Drive.

MBS Middle East hosts its first Women in Business breakfast at Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah hotel in spring 2015. More than 50 businesswomen and entrepreneurs from across the UAE heard about the unique challenges that women face in their way of building a career in the Middle East. The panel of eminent speakers included Nisreen Shocair - President of Virgin Megastores Middle East; Dr. Nada Jammoul Messaikeh - Associate Vice Provost for Administration at New York University Abu Dhabi; Bhavani Suresh, MBA - CEO of Nbiz infosol; Dareen Khayyat-Zoughbi, MBA - CEO of NADEREEN. The discussion was moderated by Geetu Ahaju, Head of CIMA Middle East.

To coincide with the Year of Innovation in the United Arab Emirates, MBS Middle East Centre launches what is believed to be the first in-depth research into the drivers and barriers to creativity and innovation in the cultural context of the GCC. The research programme is being led by Dr. Mark Batey, creativity specialist at MBS and one of the world's leading researchers into creativity in the workplace. You can learn more about the research Click Here 

MBS 50th anniversary in 2015 was an opportunity to share the celebrations at the annual Middle East Student and Alumni Gala Dinner, where the MBA Programme Director addressed the school’s community on this unique occasion.
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In recognition of Ms. Bessiso's work in founding and building the MBS Middle East Centre into the largest and fastest growing in the MBS international network, MBS ' Middle East Director is named on Forbes "200 Most Powerful Arab Women". Ms. Bessiso will continue to be recognised by Forbes in their 2015 and 2016 lists of "100 Most Powerful Arab Women".

In March 2014, ACCA receives Special Recognition Award to MBS Middle East in recognition of the School’s outstanding professional development opportunities offered to ACCA-qualified finance professionals in the Middle East. The Award was presented to MBS’ Middle East Director, Randa Bessiso by Helen Brand OBE, ACCA’s Chief Executive at a special ceremony held to mark the first visit of ACCA’s Council in the United Arab Emirates. MBS Middle East was the first business school in the Middle East to obtain ACCA’s Registered CPD Provider status in 2010. In 2015 MBS Middle East will cement their relationship with ACCA through signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

In early 2013, students and alumni of MBS Middle East launched a regional Alumni Group and elect its new chairman and committee. The Group held its inaugural networking evening in Dubai which attrached over 90 alumni and students .
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Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Culture Youth & Community Development, MBS held its first Middle East graduation ceremony at Atlantis the Palm Dubai in October 2013 to honour 85 MBA students who graduated from its Middle East Centre. MBS' first graduation ceremony in Dubai was a testament to the success of the Middle East Centre since its opening in 2006. MBS' graduation ceremony in the UAE is an annual event and the only ceremony conducted by the School outside Manchester.
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In the autumn of 2012, MBS introduced a new series of Business Master Classes in the Middle East; these are free and open to the regional business community. Delivered by senior faculty members of Manchester Business School, each Business Master Class is delivered in the form of an intensive two-hour session that takes participants through a detailed examination of a business subject matter and the latest thinking. MBS Middle East delivers a minimum of ten public Business Master Class across the GCC on an annual basis.

Partnership with DIAC was signed in 2012

In 2011, IMA Middle East and MBS entered into a strategic partneship aimed at the promotion of higher and professional education, research, and professional networking in the Middle East region. MBS Middle East is the first business school to collaborate with IMA in the region and the first centre in the MBS worldwide network to partner with IMA. Today MBS Middle East has successful partnerships with many other leading professional bodies, such as ACCA, CIMA and PMI.

Research with DIAC

Just 4 years after MBS Middle East admitted its first student in 2006, the Centre passes a key enrollment milestone: 1,000 enrolled students across the Middle East.

In the autumn of 2010, MBS Middle East embarked on a collaborative study with Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) to evaluate the GCC market for executive education and identify prevalent corporate training practices and perceived skill gaps among the regional workforce. The findings of the research that covered over 500 human resources professionals and senior managers from companies in a range of sectors across the six GCC countries were announced on 28 February 2011, during a seminar held at Dubai Knowledge Park. You can access the report Click here >>

In the autumn of 2009 and in partnership with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, MBS Middle East launched the Manchester Innovation Award, a new initiative for Emirati nationals to stimulate employment and entrepreneurship in the UAE. The competition was a resounding success with around 100 registrations submitted and seven finalists selected and announced at a gala occasion coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week. The winner of the inaugural Award benefitted from an all-expenses study tour to MBS in the UK, a cash award and trophy, as well as ongoing support in the development of the winning business innovation. Enterpreneurism and innovation are the heart of the School and are key themes throughout MBS' Global MBA programme.

High level networking is one of the major benefits of top ranked MBA programme and MBS creates regular opportunities for students and alumni in the Middle East to come together to meet other third party organisations and experts who can enhance and enrich the MBS experience and also create the opportunity to meet like-minded businesspeople. Close professional and personal relationships are a significant benefit of joining the MBS community and students and alumni across the Middle East can form friendships that last a career.

Manchester Business School Middle East Centre hosts every new student at the induction workshops for new cohorts, introducing them to MBS and to each other, and building the student teamwork from day one, with the first MBA workshops giving them the first taste of MBA classroom and face to face contact with faculty.

Remembering one of the earliest workshops of Manchester Business School – Middle East Centre at the Conference Centre of Dubai Knowledge Village on March of 2008.

The MBS Middle East Centre opened in Dubai in 2006 kicking off with a press conference hosted by TECOM and supported by the British Embassy in Dubai, with the presence of HM Consul General. Since launching in 2006, the Middle East Centre has supported thousands of students and more than 1,000 MBA students have graduated from the region over the last 10 years.

Students and staff gathered at the centre in Knowledge Village to celebrate the first anniversary of the Middle East Centre.

With MBS' centres in Singapore and Hong Kong going from strength to strength, Dubai was selected as MBS' third overseas location as the School continued its global expansion. The MBS Middle East Centre was officially launched in 2006 at a press conference hosted by TECOM in the presence of Her Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai and Northern Emirates. Today MBS is the only UK business school with six overseas centres in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore. Manchester MBA students can attend workshops at any location; this gives them the opportunity to build global contacts and explore new ways of doing business.

In the spring of 2006, MBS Middle East welcomed the first intake of its Global Part-time MBA programme. The first Middle East based cohort was comprised of 20 MBA students representing 14 different nationalities. Today MBS Middle East is the School's biggest centre outside the UK with more than 2,000 students of 85 different nationalities studying the Manchester Part-time MBA.