Why Choose Georgetown’s Executive MBA in Dubai?

Navigating a fast-changing business landscape demands more than expertise—it calls for bold leadership, strategic insight, and a global perspective. Georgetown University’s Executive MBA in Dubai equips professionals in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) to meet these challenges head-on, combining world-class education with a deep understanding of regional and global business dynamics.

This 20-month program hosted at the DIFC Academy in Dubai empowers participants to excel in leadership roles and drive impactful change. The curriculum is built on four key pillars: core foundations, regional expertise, future focus, and immersive experiences. Designed for busy executives, it offers a flexible four-day-per-month format that allows participants to advance their careers without stepping away from them.

Students already in the program are seeing its impact firsthand—gaining cutting-edge insights, sharpening leadership skills, and applying value-driven strategies to their industries.

Navigating Business Challenges with Confidence

Georgetown’s curriculum combines theory with practical application, ensuring students develop critical problem-solving skills. Courses like Decision Analytics, Public-Private Partnerships, and AI & the Future of Work provide executives with the knowledge to address both regional and global business challenges.

For Fahad Kazim, CEO, Kazim Holding Limited, the program broadened his strategic perspective.

“It opened my eyes to a lot of new things. It’s nice to challenge yourself to look at things with a different lens, approach things slightly differently, and be more open-minded in how we do our day-to-day. This program has really given me insights into some fantastic frameworks that I’ve actually utilized. The most important thing is that it allows me to be a better version of myself, challenge myself, and start thinking outside the box.”

For Michael Byrne, a footwear entrepreneur originally from California taking part in the Dubai EMBA, the course has been instrumental in helping navigate the complexities of launching a business. 

“I am an entrepreneur, and this course supports every component for that. As I am starting a business for the first time, there are a lot of areas that I don’t necessarily have experience in. Just a quarter into this course, I have already gained valuable knowledge in accounting, decision analytics (which is essentially statistics), and economics. These subjects have provided me with practical insights that I have been able to implement in my business on a daily basis.”

Leading with Purpose

Georgetown’s EMBA aims to build upon Georgetown University’s values-based approach to business to shape leaders who drive meaningful impact.

For Kristina Luck, Director of Luxury Leasing at Majid Al Futtaim, says the program strengthened her leadership approach.

“It has seamlessly integrated the principles of effective leadership through each course. It inspired me to be a better leader, to lead with purpose, and to integrate my values into every action I take.”

Courses such as Organizational Behavior and Leadership and Ethics for Business equip participants with the tools to drive meaningful change in their organizations. The collaborative nature of the program also enhances learning through peer interaction. 

“What’s really important is the interaction with a very inspiring group of women and men, all of whom are leaders in their own right. That has helped me—this program is a great opportunity for me.” – Kristina Luck. 

Allae AlManini, COO at Dubai Healthcare Authority was encouraged by the caliber of senior professionals who are alumni from the course. 

“When I was searching for an Executive EMBA, I looked up alumni from various universities on LinkedIn to see what roles they were in. It became clear that this program attracts some of the most successful professionals in the UAE. Now, in my second year, I can reflect on how much I have learned. Georgetown has provided a practical and immersive learning experience, allowing me to view business from a holistic perspective. 

The professors emphasize that they don’t want us to apply our learning late –they want us to apply it today. With every project and class, I ensure my key takeaways are implemented in my own organisation. Since starting the course, I have been promoted from chief financial officer to chief operating officer, a transition I attribute to the program’s holistic approach to leadership.”  

Expanding a Global Network

Georgetown’s EMBA connects participants to an elite university-wide alumni network of over 220,000 professionals worldwide, including 1,400 alumni in the MENASA region.

For Fahad Kazim, the relationships formed in the program are among its most valuable aspects.

“We’re just beginning this journey right now—we’ve been together for less than 18 months, but we’ve already formed a fantastic bond. This has come to fruition in many ways, from personal growth to professional development. Being able to utilize the phenomenal group of colleagues we meet monthly in the classroom and extend that network beyond has been incredible.”

One of the defining features of the program is its Global Business Experience in Washington, D.C., where participants consult with U.S.-based organizations and apply their regional expertise in a global context.

“One thing that really stood out for me was the Global Business Experience, where we had the opportunity to apply the knowledge we’ve gained in the region. With over 20 years in the professional industry, I was able to collaborate with a U.S.-based organization, working alongside colleagues to find solutions for a market that was relatively new to us. It was incredibly rewarding to share the insights we gained from the program and our professional careers.” – Fahad Kazim.

Balancing Work, Study, and Life

The EMBA is designed for executives with demanding schedules, offering a flexible structure with in-person classes held once per month for four consecutive days. This format allows participants to continue excelling in their careers while advancing their education.

Fahad Kazim emphasizes the quality of instruction and the faculty’s ability to enhance learning.

“This program allows you a lot of flexibility. It’s phenomenal that we’re able to manage our time across how it’s structured during the month, so we can set up four days where we’re focused and able to fully deliver. Even more importantly, the faculty has been fantastic in both their academic experience and professional capacity, which has been a great source of joy for me.”

Georgetown’s Executive MBA in Dubai is designed for professionals seeking to refine their leadership, expand their strategic thinking, gain a global perspective and offer something greater to their community–within their organization and in the wider verticals of life. 

With a curriculum designed for senior executives and expert faculty from Georgetown’s Washington, D.C. campus who fly in for class every month of the term, this program equips executives with the tools to take the next step in their leadership journey.

Learn more about Georgetown’s Executive MBA in Dubai.