globally recognised accreditation and the ongoing challenge of attracting top faculty and students. Strengthening industry partnerships and fostering global collaborations will be essential in shaping the future of business education in the region.” Last year, you launched a master’s in business analytics in response to the evolving needs of employers and society. Are there any other new programmes in the pipeline? “The College of Business and Economics is currently revisiting its full postgraduate programme portfolio to consider recent changes in the industry and market needs. For example, we are working on offering focus areas and concentrations that enable students to tailor their education to specific fields of interest and career goals. The college is also developing new executive programmes following the successful launch of our Executive Master’s in Leadership programme in 2022. “The aim of these efforts is to enhance our existing offerings while introducing new programmes that address the growing needs of professionals and industries. In this way, we hope to increase the value of our postgraduate programmes and ensure they continue to provide high-quality education that equips students to excel in today’s dynamic business environment.” How are sustainability and responsible management embedded into your programmes? “The college has expanded its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes’ learning outcomes to cover sustainability-related concerns. New sustainability courses in marketing, management, accounting and finance have been introduced, alongside the integration of sustainability topics across various courses. Beyond the curriculum, the college enhances sustainability awareness through extracurricular activities, including student competitions and guest speaker sessions that address sustainability topics in different courses. “To enhance our integration efforts, while also providing knowledge-driven solutions in this area, we have also established the MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability (MEBAS). Comprising 15 institutions in the region, MEBAS fosters collaboration between schools and their stakeholders on sustainability-related initiatives.”
How is your school using AI, or other forms of new technology, to meet the needs of its students? “The college has recently established an Emerging Business Technologies Hub. This aims to ensure that students develop strong technological proficiency and the ability to leverage AI tools. The hub provides hands-on learning experiences, industry collaborations and specialised training in cutting-edge business technologies, enabling students to stay ahead in a rapidly digitalising world. It also empowers graduates to navigate and excel in technology‑driven workplaces. “Additionally, a technology specialist has been hired to support faculty members in integrating technology into their teaching and research.” Can you give an example of a research project at your school that is focused on how business intersects with a global societal issue? “The college strives to elevate the social impact of its research. One recent publication from faculty member Mohamed Al-Azzam, for example, uncovers the potential use of microfinance as a tool for income equality in developing countries, offering clear policy implications. Drawing on data from 97 developing countries over a period characterised by declining income inequality from 2000 to 2017, the study found that microfinance consistently predicts a lower income inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, while traditional finance shows no impact.”
22 Business Impact • ISSUE 3 • 2025
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