From January 28 to February 1, the ZIBS delegation was invited to visit the United Arab Emirates to explore new development in international markets, promote academic exchanges, and strengthen cross-border cooperation with the Middle East in both physical and digital aspects. The delegation visited local universities such as the University of the United Arab Emirates (UAEU), Zayed University (ZU), American University of Sharjah (AUS), and University of Sharjah (UoS), as well as companies and organizations such as the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai International Financial Center, Lulu Group International, Insilico Medicine, and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, and met with relevant persons in charge for exchanges of ideas. We have reached consensus on topics such as talent cultivation in higher education, academic exchanges, and cross-border cooperation in both physical and digital aspects. The ZIBS delegation is led by BEN Shenglin, Dean of ZIBS and attended by Abdulrahmaan Al Ansaari, Strategic Advisor of ZIBS for the Middle East, Michael Sung, ZIBS Associate Professor of Practice, ZHANG Ke, Executive Director of Beijing Frontier Institute of Regulation and Supervision Technology (FIRST), and others.
Jan.
29
On January 29，the ZIBS delegation visited Dubai Chamber of Commerce in the morning and was received by Khalid Al Ali, Regional Director of Africa and Marwan Al Marri, Regional Director of Asia & Australia. Marwan Al Marri introduced Dubai's historical development and economic planning, showing great enthusiasm for ZIBS possibly being the first Chinese business school to extend its physical reach to the UAE. BEN Shenglin introduced ZIBS and expressed high-level intent for having more solid collaborations with the Chamber and the city of Dubai.
Also in the morning, the ZIBS delegation went on to Dubai International Financial Center and was received warmly by Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, Maryke Luijendijk, Assistant Vice President of DIFC Academy, and Claire Guo, Manager of Business Development team. Introductions were made by both parties and plan on ZIBS UAE Center was discussed. After the conversation, Claire Guo took the delegation on a comprehensive tour of the entire real estate, including the Academic Building, Gate Village and Innovation Hub.
In the afternoon, the team attended the Arab Health Convention to meet with Marwan Janahi, CEO of Dubai Science Park, who was accompanied by Hamad Al Zarooni and Ammar Ali of DSP. Ideas were exchanged.
Later that day, the delegation visited China Mobile International and was welcomed by Jamila Bai, Senior Sales Executive and Frank Wang, Senior Market Development Manager. Following the intentions in the strategic agreement signed between China Mobile and Zhejiang University on January 15, ZIBS expressed massive opportunities of collaboration in terms of regional outreach and executive education.
Jan.
30
On January 30, the ZIBS delegation went to UAE University in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and was received by Mohamed Madi, Dean of College of Business and Economics and Vice Dean Saeed Al Dahmani. Both parties exchanges ideas on how to collaborate on curriculum design, enrollment, student exchange, joint research, and short term visits, and have reached mutual intentions for future cooperation.
Next, the delegation visited Lulu Group International and was received by Nishad Abdulkareem, Director of Business Development and Vineeth Vipin, head of Digital Marketing. ZHANG Ke, Executive Director of Beijing FIRST, expressed interest of collaboration in areas of financial regulation policy interpretation and possible expansion of Chinese market for Lulu Group. After the meeting, Nishad Abdulkareem took the team to visit the supply chain systems and warehouses and also Sunrise English Private School where they exchanged views on promoting the implementation of ZIBS overseas enrollment project in countries including the United Arab Emirates.
To wrap up the day, the team visited Insilico Medicine and was received by Alex Alipe, President of the group, Tatsiana Limarenka, HR Manager, Shahab Saquib, Financial Supervisor and Khadija Alawi, Senior Biology analyst. Michael Sung exchanged ideas with Insilico representatives on how to better utilize AI and web 3.0 technology in non-traditional applicable areas.
Jan.
31
On January 31, the ZIBS delegation went to Zayed University and was received by Business School Dean Catherin Nickerson, Nadia Bhuiyan, Associate Provost and Philip Hamill, Assistant Provost. They discussed on student exchange, joint research, and joint executive education programs. Afterwards, Catherin Nickerson led the delegation on a visit across the campus to introduce how Zayed University has contributed to science and technology development in recent years, which gave inspiration to how ZIBS could position itself as a science & technology-focused business school coming into the Middle East region.
In the afternoon, the delegation went to American University of Sharjah and was received by Chancellor Tod Laursen, Provost Mohamed El-Tarhuni and Narjess Boubaker, Dean of School of Business Administration. Faculty and student exchange were discussed and Chancellor Laursen expressed potential partnership formation.
Following the visit, the team went next door to the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park and was received by Ian Edgar, Head of Learning and Partnerships and Shubransu Jana, Events Executive. Michael Sung expressed huge collaboration potentials in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship in areas such as digital finance and economy.
Last stop made was to University of Sharjah. The ZIBS delegation was received by Ilhan Ozturk, Dean of College of Business Administration, Mohammad Al-Hawari, Vice Dean, Narjes Haj-Salem, Assistant Professor of Marketing. Major collaboration areas are degree program student exchanges and China Modules tailored made for their students to gain experience in financial technology fields for their new Masters program.
This visit to the United Arab Emirates is an important step in the internationalization process of ZIBS. In the context of China entering a new era of relationship with the Arab world, this visit has further promoted the relevant works of ZIBS in the preparation of overseas centers in the UAE. In the future, ZIBS will start from Dubai, link with the resources in the Middle East, strengthen ties with local governments, industries, universities, research and innovation, and work together to build on "the Belt and Road Initiative", and give ZIBS the boost to being a science & technology-focused premier global business school from China. SHEN Li, Assistant Dean of ZIBS, DU Siyuan, Director of Global Engagement and International Admissions of ZIBS, and Manager of International Executive Education at ZIBS Executive Education Center LIU Yizhe attended the above-mentioned activities.
