Workshop Supported by Citi Foundation and Delivered at University of Dubai for 7th Straight Year
Dubai- The Center for Management & Professional Development (CMDP) at University of Dubai and The Citi Foundation recently celebrated the successful conclusion of the joint "Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Development" workshop which trained 19 women entrepreneurs on successful business management skills.
The workshop is part of the Joint Venture for Finance & Entrepreneurship (JVFE), which was established in January 2005 as a joint venture between UD and Citi through an equal grant from the Citi Foundation. The JVFE aims at addressing the entrepreneurial qualifications of women through specialized and focused workshops.
Held for the 7th consecutive year, the rigorous 3-month training program was concluded through a certificate award ceremony held at the Dubai Chamber. All participants were felicitated, while awards were presented to the three best business plans.
The program covered topics such as screening of business ideas, understanding the industry and competition, elements of marketing and understanding how consumers buy, importance of cash management, product pricing, various marketing dimensions, how to do simple market research, cash flow management, financial planning, business plan development, putting the plan to work, and looking at ethical and legal concerns as well as the regulatory environment.
Saba El Kufaishi, who took the workshop, said: "I believe that the whole opportunity is remarkable, and I know such prospect doesn't come up very often...this program allowed me to get an inside look from experienced professionals. There was also a good mix of students from various backgrounds & nationalities with a combination of ideas & experiences, which was a learning curve on its own..."
"The course was very good and I enjoyed it...I suggest that any one who wants to establish business or even to expand it to join this course," said Maha Dawood Moosa Jaffar Ali, another workshop attendee.
This year's program expanded its training activities to cover further workshops on how to Become A Highly Effective Women Leader and how to Effectively Use Social Media as a Marketing Tool, among other topics. These enable entrepreneurs to develop essential management and life skills, and to access the greater women entrepreneur network in the UAE.
Furthermore, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE) has agreed to mentor and support entrepreneurs, and will provide selective entrepreneurs access to MBRE's incubators in its Business Village.
"Our ongoing strategic alliance with UD has gathered momentum throughout seven years. More than 180 deserving women entrepreneurs have come closer to realizing their dreams, in addition to forming an alumni group of entrepreneurs and reaching out to new partners such as MBRE," said Sanjoy Sen, Citibank's Consumer Bank Head - Middle East. "The success of this partnership has certainly set a benchmark for a working alliance between academic and business institutions in the UAE."
Dr. Omar Hefni, President of UD, said: "JVFE has proven to be a unique proposition designed to address UAE's labor market need for the right talent, and to enhance entrepreneurial skills. The Entrepreneurship & business plan preparation workshop has opened doors for not only Emiratis but also expatriate women who have now got closer to realizing their dreams of a small start up."
Usha Saraf, Manager, CMPD at University of Dubai said: "I can proudly say that this is a one of a kind program being delivered in this region. Although it is the seventh consecutive year, the content of the program has evolved considerably with every passing year making it more relevant, practical and hands-on with full applied content. The rigor of the program demands that participants as well as the trainers (who are industry practitioners) are pushed to yield results and the quality of the individual business plans submitted speak volumes. It is extremely rewarding to be instrumental in enabling the women to realize their potential and in turn contributing directly to the economy of the country."
Citi has been present in the Arab World for nearly fifty years and continues to view the region as critical to its global franchise. It is currently present in ten Arab countries including Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. Throughout this period, the bank has evolved into an active corporate citizen, with a particular interest in supporting financial literacy, education, and entrepreneurship.
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University of Dubai (UD)
UD a leading university in the country has quickly developed into an active member of the community in Dubai over the last 11 years and today stands as one of the fastest growing universities in the country. Established in 1997 with the guidance and support of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, since inception, the university has built a strong reputation of excellence in the field of academia.
The UD's degree programs have been recognized by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The College of Business Administration has programs leading to the degree of: Bachelor of Business Administration with majors in Management, Marketing, Finance & Banking, and Accounting. The College of Information Technology offers a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information system. There are opportunities for students to earn double majors and double degrees across the two programs.
International accreditations - The College of Information Technology received the ABET accreditation in August 2008 and the College of Business Administration received the most coveted AACSB accreditation in April 2009. These international accreditations place UD on the world map among the best Business and Information Technology Colleges.
The Center for Management and Professional Development (CMPD)
CMPD is the professional management development training arm of the University of Dubai. It delivers accredited and non accredited management training programs in Management, Accounting, Finance & Banking, Marketing, Procurement & Logistics, Human Resources, Retailing & Customer service etc. It also offers English language courses, short courses, Seminars and Conferences to the Public and the Business Community. It works closely with the various business groups at the Dubai Chamber and Industry (DCCI) in delivering customized programs to the business community. The Center is also concerned with the development of the UAE national work force, and provides specific work oriented training programs for this segment of society. Research and consultancy related activities at University of Dubai are coordinated with the Center to ensure maximum fit with the requirements of the public and private sectors in the UAE.
Further information may be found at: www.ud.ac.ae
Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com
Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment and financial inclusion of individuals and families, particularly those in need, in the communities where we work so that they can improve their standard of living. Globally, the Citi Foundation targets its strategic giving to priority focus areas: Microfinance, Enterprise Development, Youth Education and Livelihoods, and Financial Capability and Asset Building. The Citi Foundation works with its partners in Microfinance and Enterprise Development to support environmental programs and innovations. Additional information can be found at www.citifoundation.com.
For further details on this press release, please contact:
Usha Kaul Saraf
Manager, Center for Management
& Professional Development
University of Dubai
(04) 2211187 extn 226
Email: ukaul@ud.ac.ae
Karim Seifeddine
Corporate Communications Head
Citi
Tel: ++971 4 509 9707
Email: karim.seifeddine@citi.com
© Press Release 2011
