46 UAE nationals complete Group's high-end leadership development programme

Dubai, June 16, 2009: Dubai World on Tuesday (June 16) celebrated the graduation of 46 UAE nationals under the Dubai Leaders Program (DLP), its flagship corporate leadership development initiative conducted in association with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, awarded the certificates to the graduates at a ceremony held at Atlantis, marking the conclusion of the year-long development course for the third intake of DLP.

The new management graduates included one participant from the Dubai Autism Center, who was selected under Dubai World's Corporate Social Responsibility commitment to reach out to the wider UAE community.

Over 200 distinguished guests, including VIPs, senior executives from Dubai World companies and other dignitaries attended the graduation ceremony.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, congratulating the graduates, said:

"It is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who set our task for the future through his vision of pragmatic and forward-looking leadership. His emphasis on sustainable economic development defined Dubai World's decision to launch the Dubai Leaders Program in 2006, partnering with the prestigious Wharton School.

"Dubai World has uncompromising commitment to management excellence. Today's global economic situation demands extraordinary levels of crisis management skills from corporate leaders that can be honed through specialist development scheme such as the Dubai Leaders Program. The proud graduates we honour today have been groomed to measure up to the demands of building Dubai World, Dubai and the UAE. We wish them every success."

Abdul Qader Obaid Ali, Director, Group Internal Audit and Business Excellence, Dubai World, Director of Dubai World Leadership Center (DWLC), said: "This is a proud moment for DWLC as the third DLP intake concludes their programme according to the plans we set. The support from the top management of Dubai World helped us in ensuring the smooth progress of the programme. We congratulate the new group of future leaders returning to their companies with added skills and stronger commitment."

Bedoor Khouri, Manager of Dubai World Leadership Center, said: "The graduation marks an important milestone for Dubai World Leadership Center. We thank Wharton School for the leading role they have played in developing Dubai Leaders Program as the most meaningful executive leadership development program in the region."

The DLP participants are hand-picked from Dubai World subsidiary companies to undergo comprehensive development in Dubai and at the Wharton campus in Philadelphia. This year Dubai World Leadership Center brought the Wharton faculty to Dubai exclusively for the final phase.

The course programme also includes a Global Learning Journey to Singapore, Hong Kong and China where the participants are taken through a series of real time field experiences.

The graduates expressed pride and satisfaction at successfully completing the programme. They included a specially-invited participant, Sarah Al Marzooqi, Head of Occupational Therapy and Creative Unit at Dubai Autism Center, who said:

"DLP has opened the door to a new world of possibilities for me. The experience strengthened my resolve and ability to take on bigger challenges. I am deeply grateful to Dubai World for this great opportunity."

Henadi Abedin, Manager, Group Planning & Financial Analysis, Group Corporate Finance, Dubai World, one of the new DLP graduates, said:

"The learning programme has sharpened my professional outlook. It covered every area of leadership grooming. DLP has positively influenced my crisis management skills."

Another participant, Abdelaziz Al Mazam, Head of Marketing & Public Relations, Istithmar World, said:

 "The programme was full of integrated business simulations that presented different situations with closely matching decision options. It contains extreme attention to detail and guides you towards making the right decision."

The first two DLP intakes, comprising 70 senior executives from various Dubai World companies, graduated in 2007 and 2008.

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About Dubai World
Dubai World is Dubai's global investment flag bearer focusing on five strategic growth areas: Transport & Logistics, Drydocks & Maritime, Urban Development, Investment & Financial Services, and Energy & Natural Resources.

Its portfolio comprises some of the world's best known companies, including DP World, Drydocks World & Dubai Maritime City, Economic Zones World, Nakheel, Leisurecorp, and Istithmar World.

Dubai World's strategy is driven by a combination of pragmatic acquisitions and prudent investments and its corporate philosophy is based on strong fundamentals, best ethical practices and integrity.

www.dubaiworld.ae

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Sana.maadad@dubaiworld.ae

© Press Release 2009