Dubai School of Government concludes two-year executive education 'Young Leaders' programme

Conducted in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, the Young Leaders programme was supported by DSG's Knowledge Management System for Continuous Learning.

The programme drew executives from the private and government sector organisations such as Shell, British Petroleum, The Executive Council, the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), as well as several banks.

Designed to develop four main areas, the courses deal with management acumen, personal skills, leadership competencies and knowledge. Conducted by leading regional and international scholars, the 'Young Leaders' programme delivers key management skills and tools, covering six different modules based on individual case approach and best practices essential for emerging leaders.

Khalid Al Gohary, Director of Executive Education Programmes at DSG, said:

"We, at Dubai School of Government, strongly believe people are the pillars to progress and advancement of communities. This is why it is the responsibility of the leaders to identify the most talented and help them provide the necessary momentum for communities to advance further in their social goals. However, in order to achieve this, leaders need to be qualified to be able to guide, implement and apply public policies in their areas of specialization."

"The Young Leaders programme was devised keeping in mind the best practice approach and learning modes including classroom teaching, interactive working sessions, teaching based on case studies, and applied learning projects. Such features help engage all the participants and deliver quality education," Al Gohary added.

Participants of the inaugural programme additionally attended workshops on strategic management and innovation in governance. They also participated in six seminars and presentations hosted by senior officials, regional experts, and practitioners on topics such as globalization and governance, with particular emphasis on Dubai and the region.

Aisha Bin Bishr, Director of Corporate Excellence at The Executive Council, expressing her personal experience as a participant, said, "Enrolling in this programme was a key decision in my life that has enormously benefited my career prospects. The exposure and the learning gained from the Young Leaders programme will positively impact career growth of many participants. The subjects were practical and relevant to our professional lives. It was a great learning experience that I would recommend to all peers."

The programme also included workshops on public speaking, media training, and techniques to demonstrate leadership during challenging transition periods.

Commenting on his participation, Maktoum Bin Butti Al Maktoum, CEO of Social Care Agency, said:

"The opportunities the programme offered were well beyond its theoretical scope. It provided a great platform for networking with other young leaders in the UAE and allowed us to learn from each other. Furthermore, we were also given a chance to communicate with professionals from all over the world and exchange ideas, best practices and thoughts."

Founded in 2005 in cooperation with the Harvard Kennedy School, Dubai School of Government currently hosts 25 research fellows and associates with different specializations in public administration and governance, gender and public policy, economic development, youth inclusion, operations management, community development, and e-government.