Over 200 alumni, staff, prospective students and regional partners
enjoyed an evening of talks, thought-provoking discussion and networking at the Palace Downtown, Dubai in May.
Dr Sionade Robinson, Vice-President (Enterprise, Engagement & Employability) at City, University of London, and Professor André Spicer, Executive Dean, Bayes Business School, welcomed attendees and provided updates from London. They were pleased to report on the latest ranking successes of City and Bayes placing City 6th best University in London and in the top 25% in the UK and QS World University Rankings 2024 and the Complete University Guide.
At the end of last year, Bayes rose in the Financial Times European Business Schools ranking. Bayes is now 2nd in London, 5th in the United Kingdom, and 27th in Europe. Prof Spicer said, “I was particularly pleased that Bayes was ranked first in the UK for alumni career progression and scored highly on other metrics related to the alumni network. The School ranked 2nd in the UK for international work mobility, and 3rd in the UK for alumni salaries.”
In her talk, Dr Robinson focused on City’s continued commitment to the region and our MENA alumni community. Following the decision to discontinue City’s Dubai-based programmes, Dr Robinson emphasised that City and Bayes Business School remained fully committed to Dubai, the MENA region and particularly to our alumni who are based here. She said, “We will maintain and develop our presence in the region in the future through a range of alumni engagement activities and events, academic activities and other opportunities as they emerge. Our activities to support student recruitment from the region to our campus in the heart of the City of London will also continue and we look forward to continuing to welcome Dubai-based students to our UK-based and online programmes.”
Dr Robinson thanked City’s partners in the region: “On behalf of the University, I would like to formally record our deep gratitude to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai for their significant support over the years and to the DIFC. We are also very grateful to our Dubai alumni, friends and supporters for their input as part of the review and for your ongoing commitment and support over the years. We look forward to continuing to work together. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Kevin Dunseath, Director of the Dubai Centre, and the Dubai Centre Team.”
In recognition of Rehan Pathan’s (EMBA, 2010) longstanding contributions as the Founding President of the MENA Alumni Chapter, Dr Robinson and Prof Spicer thanked Rehan, and the former MENA Chapter Board. Dr Robinson said, “You have been a driving force for alumni connectivity in the region for many years. I and we are deeply grateful to you, Rehan.” Topical focus of the evening was on ‘Drivers for Success: The Future of Entrepreneurial Leadership’ in the form of an alumni panel discussion moderated by Professor Nikos Nomikos (Professor of Shipping Finance & Director).
The panel featured Mirna Sleiman (Executive MBA Dubai, 2019), Founder & CEO of Fintech Galaxy, Jelena Kezika (Executive MBA Dubai, 2021), Senior Director Strategy of Global Hotel Alliance, and Alaa AlRousan (Executive MBA Dubai, 2024), Regional Account Director of SWIFT.
Held at the prestigious Palace Downtown Hotel in Dubai, the reception offered ample opportunities for alumni to renew acquaintances and make new ones via networking drinks, a Q&A opportunity with the hosts and alumni speakers, and tasty canapes .
Reflecting on the event, Karen Lippoldt, City’s Head of Alumni & Supporter Relations, said, “It was so exciting to see and connect with so many of our alumni. We had graduates in the room spanning four decades! I was particularly pleased that our offer holders had the opportunity to quiz alumni on what it is like to be a City or Bayes student. What a fantastic opportunity! A big thanks and special shout out to Rehan Pathan for all his years of commitment as the Founding President of the MENA Alumni Chapter, and our wonderful Alumni Ambassadors many of whom were in attendance. I’m so grateful for all their time, energy and enthusiasm for the benefit of the alumni community in the region as well as City and Bayes. Thank you!”