Executive MBA intake at London Business School, Dubai, shows increasing number of entrepreneurs look for edge with formal training

International class of 51 students embark on the Dubai stream of the London Business School's Executive MBA programme

Dubai, UAE, 3^rd October, 2010: London Business School, one of the world's leading global business schools, has revealed that this year's intake of Executive MBA students on the Dubai stream showed the number of entrepreneurs looking to sharpen their skills with formal training has tripled, compared to the previous year when there were only three entrepreneurs enrolled on the programme.

Of the 130 students on the course, 51 will be studying on the Dubai stream of the programme following their recent orientation week in London. The average EMBA student is in their mid-thirties and has 10 years of professional experience.

For the first time since the School brought the programme to the UAE, it has joined its Dubai and London streams for orientation week, giving students truly international integration. The two streams will be reunited for modules and electives at key points during the 20-month programme, allowing students to network and make connections to enrich their experience and their professional lives.

Another trend for this year's EMBA intake is the number of students who finance their own study, while in the past a greater number of students have relied on corporate sponsorship from their companies. Compared to last year, the number of sponsored students has decreased by 50 per cent. The number of self-financing students is telling of the value they place on the programme. The London Business School quality assurance means the entry criteria will never be lowered to fill the course, resulting in consistently high standards across both campuses.

The international class of 51 students is made up of 25 nationalities with no one dominant national group. Many of the students travel to Dubai from across the GCC and Levant, and there are even students from the UK with an interest in the Middle East who have chosen to take the Dubai stream.

Professor Naufel J. Vilcassim, Faculty Director, Dubai, said:

"We are delighted to welcome the new class to the Executive MBA programme. The increase in the number of self-financed students this year shows the value the programme adds, and the impact it has had on our former students' careers. We are particularly pleased to welcome our female students to the course. By offering this course at our Dubai campus, we know that we are opening the door to women in the GCC, who through personal and family circumstances would not otherwise be able to attend the course.

"The international networking opportunities offered by the two streams, particularly as they are reunited, and the pedigree of our diverse student body is another key strength of our programme. These students have the benefit of learning a tremendous amount not just from our world-class faculty but also from one another."

Sultan Salman, an EMBA student on the programme, commented:

"The way this course is structured makes it possible to combine a full time job with further study without having to compromise on quality. The option to take an elective module in an intense block of 30 hours in one week makes it ideal for international students such as myself. Having met the international student body at the orientation week in London, I look forward to taking up the networking opportunities the school offers."

London Business School's full-time MBA programme is ranked number one in the world in the Financial Times´ annual survey, and first in the Financial Times´ ranking of European Business Schools´ MBA, EMBA and Executive Education programmes. It launched its Executive MBA programme in Dubai in September 2007. Located over campuses in two of the world's most dynamic cities - London and Dubai - this programme is taught over 20 months. Ten of the 11 core courses are taught in the Centre of Excellence at the Dubai International Financial Centre, while the majority of elective courses are offered at London Business School's central London campus.

The programme, taught exclusively by London Business School's own faculty, gives students a thorough grounding in all key areas of business and management and, through the diverse elective portfolio, also allows them to specialise in their chosen subject areas.

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About London Business School:
Founded in 1964 and based in the world's best connected city, London Business School exists to develop insights and successful leaders that have a positive impact on business across the world.

The School's faculty, from over 30 countries, is grouped into seven subject areas - Accounting; Economics; Finance; Management Science and Operations; Marketing; Organisational Behaviour; and Strategic and International Management.

Studying at the School provides access to an unmatched diversity of thought. With a presence in four international cities - London, New York, Hong Kong and Dubai - the School is well positioned to equip students from more than 130 countries with the capabilities needed to operate in today's business environment. Students further benefit from 28,000 alumni who provide a wealth of knowledge, business experience and worldwide networking opportunities.

The School awards 800 degrees every year, across MBA, Executive MBA, Masters in Finance, Sloan Fellow and PhD programmes. The Executive Education team offers a portfolio of over 20 open programmes as well as custom-designed programmes developed to meet the specific needs of organisations.

London Business School launched its inaugural Executive MBA programme in Dubai in September 2007 - the first time it had set up one of its own branded programmes overseas.

London Business School is consistently ranked among the top ten business schools in the world.

For further information on the London Business School and the Executive MBA programme in Dubai please visit www.london.edu/dubai/

* Financial Times MBA rankings Jan 2009 / Financial Times EMBA rankings Oct 2008

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