NYU Stern Abu Dhabi’s New EMBA Trains Talent For The Booming Middle East

0 0 2 minutes read

📝 usncan Note: NYU Stern Abu Dhabi’s New EMBA Trains Talent For The Booming Middle East

Disclaimer: This content has been prepared based on currently trending topics to increase your awareness.

International colleagues in the Middle East

A new Executive Master of Business Administration program announced by NYU Stern Abu Dhabi will expand options for business education in the Middle East. The 24-month, part-time program offers international experience modules in New York and Shanghai, combining the need for regional expertise and global proficiency in today’s business world.

The Middle East Is Booming

The Middle East is booming and expanding its economy far beyond oil. Recent diversification efforts have been a success. Non-oil sectors accounted for over 75% of the total real GDP in Q1 2025, according to the Kelmer Group. The United Arab Emirates plans to double its GDP to over $800 billion by 2030, according to the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC. These statistics document the scope of the need for highly-trained business leaders in the region.

“Stern at NYUAD’s EMBA is designed for ambitious experienced professionals who want to deepen their leadership in, connection to, and understanding of, the Middle East region,” Robert Salomon, Dean, Stern at NYU Abu Dhabi, wrote in email correspondence. “That said, our program is also designed to develop leaders with a global mindset, and so there are in-built global immersion experiences.”

NYU Stern’s original center in New York opens the doors to the world of business in New York to students in the Abu Dhabi program. These students, who may already be senior business leaders, can spend time learning at Stern and immersing themselves in the distinctive business culture of New York, as they embark on global careers.

NYU Stern Connects The UAE And New York

“And what better place to start than in NYC. It connects students to Stern’s central NYC campus; it affords students the opportunity to learn from illustrious NYC faculty; it allows students to experience, and appreciate, New York City as a global financial center; and it offers the opportunity to engage with EMBA students from Stern’s top-ranked programs in NYC and DC, enabling the AD students to immediately broaden their networks.”

Start-up culture is common to New York and the UAE, which had nearly 50,000 startups as of September 2025, according to Tracxn. Niketa Desai, Founder of Admit Beacon in Bangalore and board member of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants, sees the new program as attracting students beyond the typical EMBA participants, who tend to be senior leaders of established companies.

Young, International Talent Is Drawn To The Middle East

“The Middle East, particularly Dubai, is attracting a lot of young talent. EU and Indian citizens are attracted by the tax benefits and proximity to home,” continued Desai.

“I think there should be a lot of interest because a lot of Indian talent is fanning out to Dubai’s startup, investing and consulting ecosystem,” wrote Desai in WhatsApp correspondence. “Not all might want an MBA and the EMBA would be a great way for them to upskill, build perspective and advance in their careers.”

Arvind Kumar of admitStreet, an MBA admissions consulting firm in Bangalore, agrees. “While U.S. and E.U./U.K. schools have been the traditional focus, I’m now seeing growing interest in NYU Abu Dhabi. Its global brand, geographic advantage, and experiential projects with top regional companies make it an appealing choice for those aiming to build their career in the Middle East,” wrote Kumar in correspondence on WhatsApp..