During their two-week stay, the ELG students from the School of Economics visited the main institutions responsible for governance, economic development, leadership and innovation in the United Arab Emirates as part of the “Innovation, Sustainability & Governance” international seminar organized by the School.

Ángeles Espinosa, the Dubai correspondent for the Spanish daily El País, provided the students with background information on the political, social and cultural systems in the country before they visited the main financial institutions and organizations driving the economy, such as Government Accelerators, the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority.

Students also delved into the model for governance and leadership in the Gulf country through seminars at the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance, the Executive Council of the Government of Dubai and the MBR School of Government.

As part of their studies on innovation and sustainability, the students learned about the Masdar Institute’s innovative projects in renewable energy, as well as the alliance between businesses, start-ups and the government to explore future solutions at Dubai Future Accelerators, the Government of Dubai’s centre for innovation.

Victor Suanzes, commercial attaché at the Spanish Embassy, gave the students an insight on the experience of Spanish businesses in the United Arab Emirates through the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX).

Throughout the seminar, the students worked on an academic essay and a business proposal for a smart city, which they will present in June at the Global Business Case Competition held by the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University.

 

 

The President of the UAE Federal National Council receives the School’s honour sash

Students met with leaders such as Amal Al Qubaisi, the President of the UAE Federal National Council, who received the School’s honour sash. The leader presented Francesc Pujol, the director of the Leadership and Governance Programme, with a keepsake gift.

Students from the Programme were also able to speak with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai. They were also hosted by Sheikh Nahyanbin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development, who received them in his private residence.