Duke varsity, Rashid Centre sign MoU

Dubai: Emirati and Arab nationals from the Mohammad Bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development (MBRCLD) will be able to hone their management skills in a bid to effectively run government enterprises after an MoU was signed with Duke University recently.

Duke University guaranteed the availability of 85 seats for two batches of students to enrol in the Fuqua School of Business. Selected students will commence on a year-long Master of Management Science programme to launch in 2010.

"We will continue to take advantage of our strategic partnership with such renowned institutions to offer world-class academic programmes customised to match unique leadership needs and requirements of Dubai and the UAE," said Adel Al Shared, Executive Chairman of MBRCLD.

He went on to say the initiative will serve as a suitable platform for existing UAE leaders to further strengthen their expertise in the fields of management and government leadership.

Professor Blair Sheppard, Dean and professor of Management at Duke University said, "[We will] help ensure the development of world-class leaders, who will take charge in continuing the socio-economic development initiatives of the country," along with MBRCLD "[who] have been a pillar in the UAE's bid to establish a sustainable long-term leadership development programme."

Entry requirements to the programme have yet to be confirmed. However, the topics of study will include, among others, Economics, Strategy, Decision Models, Supply Chain Management, Problem Analysis, Solutions Design, and Leadership and Development.