Manchester Business School launches Innovation Award for Emiratis

The Manchester Innovation Award is open to all Emiratis aged 20 and over, and the winner will benefit 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.

A press release issued today by Manchester Business School said that the School will be accepting innovative business plans to be judged by a panel of professors, academic directors and selected MBS alumni. The winner of the best innovative business plan will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Manchester, UK to meet with professors from the University of Manchester, Manchester Business School and the Manchester Enterprise Centre (based at the business school) to review and develop the business plan. The winner will be selected based on the innovation and creativity demonstrated by the business idea, as well as its commercial viability.

Nigel Banister, Chief Global Officer of MBS and CEO of MBS Worldwide, said: "The Manchester Innovation Award will help encourage Emirati businesspeople - and business minded Emiratis - to think outside the box. We see this initiative as creating opportunities for all Emirati entrepreneurs to realise their potential and demonstrate the level of innovation in the country. We have already successfully launched an Innovation Award in Asia and hope to extend the UAE award to the rest of the Middle East, depending on the response to this first award initiative. We have been very impressed by the business skills in the region and believe this award will help nurture them.

Banister complimented the Khalifa Fund role in enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit amongst locals in Abu Dhabi, confirming that the Khalifa Fund experience and contribution is unique and has earned wide respect.

Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Deputy CEO and Director of Operations of Khalifa Fund to Support and Develop Small & Medium Enterprises, said:

"Khalifa Fund is open to any initiative that aims to support the entrepreneurial spirit amongst locals."

He confirmed that Khalifa Fund will look at any possibility to develop the winning idea and to help make it happen at the commercial level, within the Fund regulations.

Al Mansouri said that Khalifa Fund executes many ambitious initiatives and programmes that aim to create a new generation of business entrepreneurs and transfer a lot of unique ideas into a chain of projects that supports the national economic interest.

According to Chris Higgins, Director Middle East for MBS Worldwide, more business people in the region are realising the importance of upgrading their skill sets to remain competitive during these challenging times and to benefit from the eventual economic upturn: "Applications for our MBA programmes continue to rise strongly and this is a good indication that there is a real entrepreneurial spirit in the region and we believe the Manchester Innovation Award will further encourage this in the UAE."