Second edition of the successful Harvard Crossroads Emerging Leaders programme at DIFC

• Over 1,731 applications were received from 69 countries

• Number of underprivileged students enrolled in the programme in the second edition increased from 50 to 70

Dubai, UAE – Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), one of the world’s top financial centres and the leading financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, today kicked off the second edition of the successful Harvard Crossroads Emerging Leaders programme at DIFC, in collaboration with the Harvard Business School Club of the GCC.

The programme, which will run from 23 to 27 September 2018, is a unique, fully-funded career development scheme for accomplished and ambitious students. This year’s programme has attracted over 1,731 applications from 69 countries. The course addresses a variety of topics, including science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics (STEAM), business and leadership.

The number of underprivileged students from across the MEASA region, who will take part in this year’s five-day intensive course developed by the South Asia Institute and Harvard Business School professors has increased to 70 from 50 in the first edition. The programme focuses on career and human capital development and will be delivered by Harvard Business School professors in The Academy at DIFC.

Among the professors for this year’s programme are Prof. Tarun Khanna, who teaches courses on strategy, corporate governance, and international business; and Prof. Karim Lakhani whose research examines crowd-based innovation models and digital transformation of companies and industries. Prof. Kristin Fabbe, whose primary expertise is in comparative politics will focus on the Middle East and South Eastern Europe, particularly Turkey; and Prof. Caroline Elkins whose research is focused on empire, violence, liberalism, and insecurity, will highlight Africa and various regions of the former British Empire including parts of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The programme embodies the DIFC’s commitment to developing human capital. It will support the academic growth of participating students, all of whom will be the first in their family to attend university.

“We are delighted to be hosting the second edition of the Harvard Crossroads Emerging Leaders programme, which will give the students a unique insight into the region’s business environment as well as offer them the chance to learn first-hand from professors from one of the world’s most prestigious universities,” said Alya Al Zarouni, Executive Vice President of Operations, DIFC Authority. “This programme embodies DIFC’s commitment to developing the diverse pool of talent needed to drive the UAE’s economy, ensure its competitiveness and sustain the nation’s long-term growth.”

Professor Tarun Khanna of Harvard Business School, said, “Through this programme, our collaboration with the DIFC has enabled Harvard to provide another platform for knowledge and accelerate the careers of ambitious young people with promising futures.”

During the inaugural programme last year, students experienced Harvard Business School’s case-study methods of teaching and learning and exploring real, contemporary business scenarios. They were also able to work with representatives of leading private and public entities, who took part in the programme and shared their expertise and experience.

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About Dubai International Financial Centre

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s top financial centres and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. The Centre provides a world-class platform connecting the region’s markets with the economies of Europe, Asia and the Americas and facilitates growth in South-South trade and investment. An onshore, international financial centre, DIFC offers a stable, mature and secure base for financial institutions to develop their wholesale businesses.

The Centre offers all the elements found in the world’s most successful financial industry ecosystems, including an independent regulator and judicial system with a common-law framework, a global financial exchange, inspiring architecture, powerful, enabling support services and a vibrant business community. The infrastructure within the district features ultra-modern office space, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, art galleries, residential apartments, public green areas and hotels.

Located midway between the global financial centres of New York, London in the West and Singapore, Hong Kong in the East, DIFC (GMT +4) fills a vital time-zone gap with a workday that bridges the market and business hours of financial centres in both Asia and North America.

In 2015, DIFC launched its 2024 growth strategy, a blueprint for the next decade of growth of the financial hub. This strategy aims to stimulate trade and investment flows along the South-South economic corridor encompassing the Middle East, Africa, Southern Asia and Latin America.

Currently, 2,003 active registered companies operate from the Centre, with a combined workforce of 22,768 professionals.

DIFC continues to pursue expansion into new services and sectors within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, an area comprising over 72 countries with an approximate population of 3 billion and nominal GDP of US$7.7 trillion.

For further information, please visit our website: www.difc.ae, or follow us on Twitter @DIFC.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Manal Shaikh

Dubai International Financial Centre Authority

Senior Manager, Communications

Tel: +971 4 362 2453

Email: manal.shaikh@difc.ae

Joudi Issa

Brunswick Group

Tel: +971 4 560 9600

Email: DIFC@brunswickgroup.com

© Press Release 2018