The University of Manchester-Dubai and British Chamber of Commerce Dubai sign Annual Strategic Partnership agreement as UAE-UK business ties deepen

The University ofManchester-Dubai and British Chamber of Commerce Dubai

sign Annual StrategicPartnership agreement as UAE-UK business ties deepen

28 April 2025 (Dubai – United Arab Emirates): The University of Manchester-Dubai (the Middle East branch of oneof the world’s top research-driven universities) and British Chamber ofCommerce Dubai (BCCD - a not-for-profit Chamber supporting a diverse andgrowing British business community) have announced a new Annual StrategicPartnership for 2025. The partnership will create mutual benefits for BCCD andits members, both individual and corporate, and the University’s community ofstudents, alumni and partners in Dubai and the UAE through business knowledgesharing, professional networking, and joint experiences and collaborations.

The agreementreflects and supports the growing economic, commercial and academic tiesbetween the UK and the UAE. With more than 5,000 UK businesses currentlyoperating in the UAE, the region continues to attract growing interest fromBritish businesses and entrepreneurs as a strategic hub for investment andexpansion.According to recent research by UK advisory firm Pagefield, UK interest in theregion has doubled in recent years, with 36% of British business leaders nowviewing the Middle East as a key investment destination.

Along with theco-branding and professional networking opportunities, the University willshare its world-leading academics and research-driven thought leadershipthrough faculty-led masterclasses for BCCD members. It will also provide accessto the business focused post-graduate learning opportunities through theportfolio of part-time business master’s programmes and executive educationshort business courses.

As business facesthe multiple challenges of rapid digital transformation, changing customer andconsumer expectations and behaviours, and a growing range of global challengesfrom environmental to economic sustainability, the University’s faculty thoughtleaders will share their research-driven insights that will help businessleaders better understand and respond to this dynamic environment.

Katy Holmes, CEOat British Chamber of Commerce Dubai (BCCD), said: “Weare truly honoured to announce this partnership with the University ofManchester. BCCD Annual Strategic Partners become an integral part of ouroverall proposition to our members and stakeholders and are therefore agreedwith great care and consideration. We are passionate about bridging the gapbetween industry and academia and see great value in deepening ourcollaboration with the University of Manchester to enable such consistentknowledge transfer for the benefit of our business ecosystem. The Universityhas an impressive reputation and a proud alumni network in the region. Ourvalues and aspirations are beautifully aligned and I am really looking forwardto the fruition of the partnership.”

Randa Bessiso,Founder and Director Middle East, The University of Manchester - Dubai, added:“The University is delighted to sign this Annual Strategic Partnership. BCCD isone of the most successful and impactful international Chambers within theBritish Chambers of Commerce network and plays a vital role in the dynamicUAE-UK economic relationship, attracting leading UK businesses and businessleaders to its community. We share the aspiration to help create strong bondsthrough partnerships. The University has built a range of successfulcollaborations in the UAE, from corporate and social responsibilitypartnerships to joint academic research and commercialisation activity.

“As the businessworld changes, the very human demands of leadership and talent development areeven more essential. Our aim is to support and develop working professionalsthrough our knowledge sharing, teaching and learning, research insights andsocial responsibility programmes. From our Dubai branch, we already supportthousands of students and alumni in a growing regional professional communityand they will all benefit from - and contribute to - the partnership withBCCD.”

The University ofManchester-Dubai offers a dynamic programme portfolio including a range offaculty-led, flexible learning Manchester part-time MBA programme options -Global Part-time MBA, Finance Accelerated MBA, and Global Executive MBA, andspecialist part-time master’s programmes, the award-winning MA EducationalLeadership in Practice, and MSc Financial Management. Alongside the part-timebusiness master’s portfolio, the branch has recently introduced a new range ofexecutive education short business courses.

Since opening inthe UAE in 2006, the University’s Middle East branch in Dubai has developed astrong group of strategic talent and corporate partners across the region,including professional bodies and business groups, multinational and regionalcompanies, and professional services organisations. The branch also works inclose collaboration with a range of regional social responsibility partners aspart of its commitment to fulfilling one of the University’s principal missionsin achieving positive social impact.

Part of theprestigious Russell Group of universities, The University of Manchester is acentre of teaching excellence, world-class research, outstanding student experience,and social responsibility. Its research and innovation track record includescreating the world’s first nuclear reaction, building the modern computer,isolating graphene, pioneering development economics, and transforming cancerdiagnosis and treatment across the world. The University celebrated its200^th anniversary in 2024 and Alliance Manchester Business Schoolcelebrates its 60^th anniversary in 2025.

‍