Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development (MBRCLD) and leading international universities.
According to Emirates News Agency, the MoUs are intended to launch an advanced leadership programme and the ‘Dubai Leadership Research’ initiative, inspired by the journey of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The agreements were signed with Georgetown University, IESE Business School, IMD Business School, INSEAD, and HEC Paris, aiming to conduct comprehensive leadership research tailored for MBA and executive education programmes.
The research will serve as a global reference in inspirational leadership and decision-making, shared across conferences, workshops, and academic platforms worldwide. It will present Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s leadership journey as an inspiring model studied in both Eastern and Western institutions.
The agreements were signed by Saeed Al Eter, Director-General of The Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with representatives from the partner universities: Paul Almeida of Georgetown University, Andrea Montalvo of IESE Business School, David Bach of IMD, Marc Mortensen of INSEAD, and Dr Pablo Martin de Holan of HEC Paris.
The MoUs are a key outcome of the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, the region’s leading annual platform dedicated to management and leadership. Organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Forum brought together 1,000 senior figures from government and the private sector in Dubai.
The MoUs will enhance leadership curricula in the UAE and inspire future leaders both locally and globally. They also aim to document Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s legacy in creativity, governance, and future-oriented leadership through globally recognised academic platforms.
The ‘Dubai Leadership Research’ initiative will be integrated into MBA and executive education programmes at partner universities, reaching hundreds of students and business leaders and published through The Case Centre, benefiting over 500 business schools globally.
Additionally, the research will feature in the Harvard Business Review, which reaches over 10 million readers worldwide. Mohammad Al Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of MBRCLD, stated that the leadership philosophy of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed embodies an innovative approach founded on future foresight and bold decision-making.
Al Gergawi highlighted that the strategic partnership with global universities aims to document and enrich global thought through in-depth research. This initiative showcases Dubai’s developmental success story and presents the governance and leadership philosophy of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed as a practical framework to emulate.
Georgetown University, renowned in international relations and political science, ranks highly in global rankings. IESE Business School is recognised among the world’s leading institutions for Executive MBA and executive education programmes. IMD Business School is acclaimed for its custom executive education programmes. INSEAD and HEC Paris also hold prestigious global rankings and boast distinguished alumni.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development has become a leading institution in leadership development, guided by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision to place investment in people at the heart of sustainable development strategies. MBRCLD’s mission to ‘Create Leaders for Tomorrow’ focuses on identifying, developing, and empowering Emirati leaders through specialised programmes and initiatives.