Sustainability & Post-Oil Economy in the UAE

Sustainable Development Goals in Action

Program Overview

The UAE’s growth story – like that of Singapore – is linked to the British. Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s fortuitous position in the Persian Gulf made it important for the East India Company to secure safe passage for its ships sailing between the UK and India. And they did it through agreements with local sheikhs, most notably the Bani Yas tribe, whose descendants still rule Abu Dhabi and Dubai today.

They combined towering ambition with clever strategy (with a little bit of oil!) to transform their small fishing villages into the megalopolises that they are today. This transformation makes the UAE an excellent case study for business students to study the strategies implemented by the nation to become the global business powerhouse.

Key Program Elements

  • Visit to SMCCU for a traditional lunch + cultural discussion.

  • Dhow cruise for welcome dinner through the Dubai Marina; Abra ride across the Dubai Creek during the cultural immersion.

  • Dune Safari and traditional meal at a desert camp (optional).

  • Visit Burj Khalifa, Louvre Museum and Masdar City.
  • Visit companies representing UAE’s major non-oil industries, including financial services, real estate, tourism, consulting, transport, etc.

  • Alumni meetup; informal chats with expats at companies visited.

  • Visit a mosque; walk through spice and gold souks.

Suitable Disciplines

Accounting

Business

Economics

Industrial & Labor Relations

Public Policy

Urban Planning

Featured Cultural Experiences

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Dubai Souks and Cultural Brunch.

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Dubai Marina Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience.

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Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

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Burj Khalifa.

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Abu Dhabi: Qasr Al Watan.

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Abu Dhabi: Louvre Museum.

Learning Outcomes

Collaborative Learning

Students are grouped into 3-6 per team; teams are assigned a topic to research, which they present to the rest of the group. Some recommended topics include:

  • About the country (culture, history, politics, business, etc.): present before departure.
  • About the city: present upon arrival, right after orientation & safety briefing.
  • About the company: present on the bus / before visiting the company.

Problem-based Learning

Students are grouped into 3-6 per team; each team is presented with a challenge question, identified either by the companies or by faculty; teams do secondary (and if needed, primary) research and present findings to an audience (including company, if the challenge question was from them). Challenge question examples:

  • From the company: What are some opportunities/threats that we should be looking out for?
  • From faculty: What forces are shaping the business landscape in the country? What are early indicators of this shift? Present evidence for your analysis.

Itinerary

OPTION 1: DUBAI-ABU DHABI

Day 1: Arrival in Dubai

Arrival in Dubai and hotel check-in.

Day 2: Orientation + Welcome Dinner (Dubai)

The day will start with Orientation and safety briefing, followed by the group lunch. There will be 1 or 2 company visits in the afternoon and the day will end with a welcome dinner on Marina Royal Dhow Cruise.

Day 3: Company Visits (Dubai)

A full day of company visits with a free evening.

Day 4: Cultural Tour to Dubai Souks + Burj Khalifa

Guided cultural immersion in the old neighborhood and souks of Dubai including lunch and scavenger hunt. Guided visit of Burj Khalifa and free time to explore Dubai Mall.

Day 5: Optional Desert Safari Tour/Sharjah

Optional Desert Safari Experience/Day visit to Sharjah etc.

Day 6: Dubai-Abu Dhabi

Check-out from the hotel in Dubai. A full day of company visits. Check-in at the hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Day 7: Company Visits
(Abu Dhabi)

A full day of company visits. Free evening. 

Day 8: Company Visits
(Abu Dhabi)

A full day of company visits. Free evening. 

Day 9: Guided Cultural Immersion
(Abu Dhabi)

A full day of guided cultural immersion in Abu Dhabi. Farewell dinner at Anantara Eastern Mangroves or similar.

Day 10: Departure

Check-out; transfer to airport on own.

OPTION 2: ABU DHABI-DUBAI

Day 1: Arrival in Abu Dhabi

Arrival in Abu Dhabi and hotel check-in. 

Day 2: Orientation + Welcome Dinner (Abu Dhabi)

The day will start with Orientation and safety briefing, followed by the group lunch. There will be 1 or 2 company visits in the afternoon and the day will end with a welcome dinner on Byblos sur Mer.

Day 3: Company Visits (Abu Dhabi)

A full day of company visits with a free evening.

Day 4: Guided Cultural Immersion in Abu Dhabi

A full day of guided cultural immersion in Abu Dhabi.

Day 5: Abu Dhabi-Dubai

Check-out and transfer to Dubai. Guided cultural immersion in the old neighborhood and souks of Dubai including lunch and scavenger hunt. Check-in at the hotel in Dubai; free time or optional Desert Safari.

Day 6: Company Visits (Dubai)

A full day of company visits. Free evening.

Day 7: Company Visits (Dubai)

A full day of company visits. Free evening.

Day 8: Company Visits (Dubai)

A full day of company visits. Free evening.

Day 9: Burj Khalifa + Farewell Dinner

1 company visit in the morning followed by a guided visit to Burj Khalifa. The day will end with a farewell dinner on Marina Royal Dhow Cruise.

Day 10: Departure

Check-out; transfer to airport on own.

Pricing & Inclusions

*COST: $2360/PERSON

(twin-sharing cost, based on a group size of 20+2)

*Please note that the cost of our programs may vary depending upon several factors, including but not limited to the size of the group, program inclusions, the number of program days and more. Kindly contact us for a customized quote that suits your specific requirements.

Ready To Take Action?

If you are ready to take your study experience to new heights, kindly fill out the “Apply Now” form or submit your enquiry through the “Enquire Now” form. Rest assured, we will promptly reach out to you.