Georgetown McDonough’s new Executive MBA program in Dubai offers UAE professionals a unique opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and global business knowledge.
Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business has a longstanding reputation for excellence in business education. Last September, it launched an Executive MBA (EMBA) program in Dubai, marking a significant expansion beyond its Washington, D.C. campus.
Vice Dean of Programs Prashant Malaviya considers this first international location a natural progression, given the school’s reputation for offering a global perspective on business.
“We believe that by having this exposure in the outside world, our faculty, our staff, and our students here on the US campus will benefit, gaining broader knowledge about how global business operates. Ultimately, our vision is to be the premier destination for global business education.” (01:26)
There is a growing interest in US-inspired business education globally, and several factors contributed to the decision to start with Dubai.
Vice Dean Malaviya says, “We thought the stars are essentially aligning, and we should capitalize on this opportunity.” (05:04)
First, the UAE government is making a massive investment in education as part of its “We the UAE 2031” agenda. They wish to empower their citizens to also capitalize on opportunities with regular upskilling, which requires more schools. Currently, Georgetown McDonough is one of the top-tier US business schools in the region.
Another factor was that the institution already enjoyed recognition throughout the United Arab Emirates even before the EMBA opened for enrollment. That’s thanks in part to the large number of alumni in the region who have been supportive of the initiative.
International students increasingly find it hard to gain an education in the US and are choosing to stay closer to home. Thankfully EMBA Dubai has brought a taste of US education to the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia) region.
Vice Dean Malaviya says two factors uniquely flavor the Executive MBA program. First, it emphasizes a strong global business perspective rather than focusing on any local geography. As a result, all Georgetown EMBA students graduate with a deeper understanding of how global businesses operate. Second, the program instills a comprehensive understanding of how various societal forces influence business. (15:54)
The EMBA program in Dubai spans 20 months to accommodate the busy schedules of senior executives. The curriculum focuses on four key areas: core foundations, regional expertise, future business focus, and immersive experiential learning. Classes take place monthly at the state-of-the-art DIFC Academy in Dubai, with two residencies in Washington, D.C., to provide students an opportunity to connect with the famed Georgetown University Hilltop campus.
“The Executive MBA program that we’ve launched in Dubai is very heavily inspired by our current Executive MBA program that we offer in Washington, D.C.,” Vice Dean Malaviya explains. “This program has been running since the late ’90s, so it’s a fairly well-established program.” (06:01)
Around 80% of the content mirrors the Washington, D.C. MBA program, ensuring consistency in quality and rigor. The remaining 20% is specifically designed for the MENASA region. There are numerous differences between doing business in the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from how meetings are conducted to the prevalence of public-private partnerships.
Vice Dean Malaviya says, “We listened to what the constituents were saying, where they were investing for the next decade, what their needs were.” (10:09)
They created four new courses tailored for the region. For instance, a course on public-private partnerships addresses the specifics of the local business environment. Additionally, a course on sustainable business models supports the UAE’s strong interest in diversifying its economy. These courses also have strong relevance for DC-based students and are being offered as electives in the D.C. program.
Having the Executive MBA in Dubai has created an avenue for global knowledge exchange.
Georgetown McDonough professors currently fly from Washington to teach their respective courses. This allows students to benefit from the expertise of the same faculty who have shaped the program’s reputation for excellence.
On the other hand, EMBA students also travel to Washington twice during the two-year program. (11:01)
During the first year, student teams work on consulting projects for businesses in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. This provides valuable hands-on experience and helps them gain a deeper understanding of doing business in the US. In the future, there are also prospective plans for the D.C. cohort to be able to take Dubai courses as electives. This way, the D.C. cohort will also be able to expand their understanding of how businesses work in the UAE.
The second US visit is at the end of the second year and focuses on the impact of “non-market forces” on business operations. Students gain a firsthand understanding of how policy and diplomacy influence business strategy by meeting with regulators, policymakers, and diplomats in Washington.“This is the kind of back and forth and learning from each other that we were hoping that a presence in another part of the world would inspire,” Vice Dean Malaviya says. (10:40)
For professionals interested in accelerating their careers in the UAE, Georgetown McDonough’s Executive MBA program in Dubai offers a unique and valuable opportunity. As the program is completing its first year, the initial feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.
Accepted students join a network of highly motivated and skilled individuals. Vice Dean Malaviya highlights the exceptional quality and desire for knowledge of the students. They have been thoroughly impressed by the caliber of the students.
The fact that the program can attract such high-caliber students speaks to the unique value it provides. With its robust curriculum tailored to regional needs and global networking opportunities, this program stands out as a significant advancement in executive education in the MENASA region.
Learn more about Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business on their profile or by contacting an ambassador.
