The Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi was officially opened on Monday night, with a promise to use academic excellence to nurture global change-makers to cement the city’s growing position as an international business hub.
The first batch of 54 graduates from 25 countries are keen to study in a country and region that welcomes overseas talent.
Stern is the highest globally ranked business school offering a full-time MBA in the Middle East and North Africa region, with graduates receiving a degree jointly conferred by NYU Stern and NYU Abu Dhabi.
It's Stern calibre geared to our Middle East context and that is extremely powerful
Devina Taimni,
student from first 2025 Stern at NYUAD batch
Robert Salomon, dean of the Stern School of Business at NYUAD, told The National the demand for business talent had grown dramatically in the region. “The UAE sits at the heart of this dynamic region, offering a diverse and thriving environment for growth in almost any field you can imagine,” he said. “That’s why it’s such a big deal that Stern is expanding its global reach by launching this programme, it’s the first time the school will offer its flagship MBA programme outside of New York City.”
The MBA programme will match the rigour of two-year education with a strong focus on the Middle East economy. The class of 2025 will work on projects with leading firms such as Microsoft, Abu Dhabi Global Markets, Masdar and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and includes a study module at the New York campus.
A cross section of students, who have worked in consulting, financial and technology companies, outline why they are enthusiastic about the programme.
Learning should never stop
Emirati entrepreneur Layla Al Mulla remembers sending an email to NYUAD more than a decade ago to ask whether the university would open a business school and is thrilled to be in the first batch.
“Learning should never stop,” the Abu Dhabi resident said. “Even 10 years ago, when I emailed NYU, I knew then that I wanted to study further.”
Ms Al Mulla, 37, has worked in business development in the real estate and port sectors before starting businesses in the retail, food and beverage sector in 2015.
“I manage four small businesses and have reached a point where I feel I need more knowledge,” she said. “If I can learn more to scale up or I get inspired with a new idea that I can implement in my country, that will be incredible.”
Mother to three boys, aged between six and 12, studying close to home and keeping an eye on her businesses is invaluable.
“When my boys go to school, I’m going to university. The boys are proud of me and I have a very supportive husband,” she said. “I made a promise to myself that as I have been accepted to one of the strongest programmes in world, I want to make my country proud.”
Part of the growth story
US citizen Matthew Chronis is a strong believer “in the trajectory of the economy in the UAE and the GCC and wants to be part of growing the economy".
Raised in San Diego, Mr Chronis has worked in the financial services sector in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and visited the UAE for work and on holiday over the past few years.
“It feels more stimulating and exciting to be in a part of the world that is growing so vastly, rather than be part of the world like the US that is continuing to grow but is further along in its growth cycle,” he said.
A one-year MBA means he would lose only 12 months of earnings as opposed to a typical two-year business programme. The class diversity is a stepping stone to building connections.
“My chief reason for the MBA was so I could build a network out here and really start to dig some roots in the GCC,” he said. "It is tough to do that when you come out on short trips."
Adopting AI
Emirati computer engineer Hamdan Al Hosani, 28, is excited to be part of a top US business school in his home country. “I was actually the first to be admitted, so there was such excitement about being accepted,” he said. “It is also prestigious because people know the school name and it is highly reputed throughout the industry.”
Having worked in the technology departments of Aldar and du, picking up managerial skills is key. “The experiential learning drew me because it’s the leadership skills I will learn and network I will build,” Mr Al Hosani said. “We will work on signature internship projects with big clients and this will give me perspective on how global businesses operate.”
The Abu Dhabi resident also hopes to grasp the nuances of new technology along the way. “Adoption of AI is a hot topic, this programme will help me gain the business acumen to understand how to persuade, how to lead people to change, because change is not easy to implement,” he said.
Welcoming foreign talent
Devina Taimni said a big draw for students was that the UAE and region was ready to welcome foreign talent.
Ms Taimni, 25, has lived in the UAE, studied in the UK and US, worked in a chemical firm in Texas and was part of a legal research team for an Indian judge in New Delhi.
“I’m looking to pivot into financial services and given the big businesses with Mena headquarters, the job market is much more attractive here," she said. “People are also much more welcoming of foreign talent. That’s the pull for the many Americans and Europeans in our class because they recognise these regions are more welcoming for long-term growth.”
Internship opportunities with top firms are a big draw, too. “These internships are pivotal,” she said. “It’s very attractive for people who want to get a foot in the door because I don’t have any previous experience in finance but know that’s the direction I want to take.”
She said Stern NYU’s motto – "Change, dare it, dream it, drive it" – echoes her ambition to harness every opportunity.
Future change-makers
Robert Salomon, dean of the new school, has been a faculty member at Stern NY since 2005 and was vice dean for executive programmes. He said the emirate was a natural choice for Stern.
“Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming a global capital, increasingly an academic, cultural, financial and business hub,” he said.
Faculty members with doctorates from the world’s top business schools will teach and conduct research in Abu Dhabi. “We’re bringing together a diverse group of talented professionals and future business leaders,” Mr Salomon said.
“By tapping into NYU’s global network, Stern’s reputation for academic excellence and Abu Dhabi’s status as a major business hub, we’re offering an experience that you can’t find elsewhere.
“Students are choosing our programme because they believe in what we’re building – a strong network of graduates who aren’t just future business leaders but change-makers ready to make a real impact, both locally and globally.”
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)
Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)
Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)
Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)
if you go
It's Monty Python's Crashing Rocket Circus
To the theme tune of the famous zany British comedy TV show, SpaceX has shown exactly what can go wrong when you try to land a rocket.
The two minute video posted on YouTube is a compilation of crashes and explosion as the company, created by billionaire Elon Musk, refined the technique of reusable space flight.
SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.
But as the video, How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster, demonstrates, it was a case if you fail, try and try again.
Company%20profile
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Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
More coverage from the Future Forum
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
AT%20A%20GLANCE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWindfall%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAn%20%E2%80%9Cenergy%20profits%20levy%E2%80%9D%20to%20raise%20about%20%C2%A35%20billion%20in%20a%20year.%20The%20temporary%20one-off%20tax%20will%20hit%20oil%20and%20gas%20firms%20by%2025%20per%20cent%20on%20extraordinary%20profits.%20An%2080%20per%20cent%20investment%20allowance%20should%20calm%20Conservative%20nerves%20that%20the%20move%20will%20dent%20North%20Sea%20firms%E2%80%99%20investment%20to%20save%20them%2091p%20for%20every%20%C2%A31%20they%20spend.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EA%20universal%20grant%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EEnergy%20bills%20discount%2C%20which%20was%20effectively%20a%20%C2%A3200%20loan%2C%20has%20doubled%20to%20a%20%C2%A3400%20discount%20on%20bills%20for%20all%20households%20from%20October%20that%20will%20not%20need%20to%20be%20paid%20back.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETargeted%20measures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMore%20than%20eight%20million%20of%20the%20lowest%20income%20households%20will%20receive%20a%20%C2%A3650%20one-off%20payment.%20It%20will%20apply%20to%20households%20on%20Universal%20Credit%2C%20Tax%20Credits%2C%20Pension%20Credit%20and%20legacy%20benefits.%3Cbr%3ESeparate%20one-off%20payments%20of%20%C2%A3300%20will%20go%20to%20pensioners%20and%20%C2%A3150%20for%20those%20receiving%20disability%20benefits.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scoreline:
Tottenham 1
Son 78'
Manchester City 0
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
