Image: Supplied
As business and society enter an era defined by technological disruption, geopolitical complexity, and shifting social expectations, business education is evolving at pace. Here, Paul Almeida, dean of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, shares how leadership training must adapt to equip the next generation of decision-makers, why lifelong learning is non-negotiable, and how the school’s new programmes in Dubai aim to meet the unique needs of the region’s executives.
How is business education evolving, and what key trends are shaping the future of leadership development?
Leadership is being redefined as today’s business leaders grapple not only with financial performance and innovation, but also with the geopolitical, technological, and social forces that shape our world.
Trade conflicts, energy transitions, generative AI, supply chain vulnerabilities, and global unrest highlight the need for leadership that is globally attuned, policy-aware, and deeply human-centered.
It is important to recognise that decisions made in boardrooms are increasingly influenced by legislative developments, public sentiment, and algorithm-driven digital platforms. This shift is pushing business education beyond traditional business concepts.
Curricula must emphasise interdisciplinary thinking, global exposure, and experiential learning to prepare graduates to drive positive change across sectors and borders.
What role does lifelong learning play in helping mid-career professionals stay competitive in today’s rapidly changing business landscape?
Lifelong learning has become a strategic advantage for mid-career professionals. With industries being transformed by AI, automation, and shifting regulatory environments, static knowledge quickly becomes outdated. Professionals must now cultivate agility in their ability to interpret global shifts, make decisions with limited information, and lead their organisations into uncharted territory.
This spirit of lifelong learning is especially important in regions like the Middle East, where international business is a primary driver of the economy.
In the context of the Middle East, what are some of the most pressing leadership and skill gaps that executives need to address, and how can business schools help bridge these gaps?
The Middle East has set ambitious national visions and sustainability targets to diversify the economy and drive business growth in the region. But to realise this potential, there must be a parallel evolution in leadership, one that extends beyond traditional models. This is already a recognised priority by top regional players such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, as exemplified by their national leadership programmes.
The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) is central to the Middle East’s fast-transforming economies. From predictive analytics and smart infrastructure to personalised healthcare and financial automation, both public and private sectors are investing heavily in AI due to its transformative potential. This increases the demand for leaders who can effectively integrate and guide its wise usage, making it critical to understand the technology not only at the implementation level but also from strategic and ethical perspectives.
Those who can lead teams in the age of AI will be essential to advancing organisational success and driving broader economic and societal progress.
Executives need to close gaps not only in digital fluency or innovation management, but also in geopolitical literacy, strategic adaptability, and cross-cultural leadership. For example, understanding how sanctions affect capital flows or how climate policy influences energy investments is no longer the domain of policymakers alone, but an essential knowledge for CEOs and entrepreneurs to stay ahead.
Business schools can bridge these gaps by designing programmes that address regional challenges through an interdisciplinary, global perspective. At Georgetown McDonough, we work closely with partners in the UAE and across the MENASA region to shape curricula that respond directly to local goals, including economic diversification, talent development, and global trade expansion, while also preparing leaders to navigate complex and often competing agendas on the world stage.
What are the skills needed for organisations in the region to elevate Dubai’s emergence as a global business hub?
Dubai is a city that thrives on global interconnectivity, making it susceptible to fluctuations in international trade, the rapid evolution of digital economies, and shifting geopolitical and regulatory policies. To lead in this environment, professionals must develop a unique blend of capabilities:
- Digital fluency, to understand and lead innovation;
- Policy and regulatory awareness, to anticipate how laws, sanctions, or trade agreements affect markets and international finance;
- Cross-cultural agility, to manage diverse teams, global stakeholders, and drive inclusive social action;
- Strategic foresight, to navigate risk, sustainability challenges, and seize long-term opportunities.
These are the core capabilities embedded in our Master’s in International Business and Policy programme, which we recently launched at our Dubai campus. Jointly delivered by Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business and the Walsh School of Foreign Service, we aim to equip leaders to interpret global forces, shape strategy, and build resilience.
How are the McDonough School of Business degree programmes in Dubai designed to meet the evolving needs of business leaders in the region?
Our Dubai-based programmes are a direct response to the UAE’s vision to become a global knowledge and innovation hub. We understand that business leaders in this region are seeking more than credentials, they want transformation professionally, intellectually, and personally.
The executive MBA in Dubai is modelled on our top-ranked US programme but tailored for professionals in the Middle East. It blends Georgetown’s academic rigor with flexibility and regional insight, offering senior professionals a platform to refine their leadership, deepen their strategic thinking, and grow their global networks without having to pause their careers or relocate.
Our recently introduced Master’s in International Business and Policy is another milestone, particularly for our presence in Dubai. It reflects our belief that leading in today’s world requires an understanding of how business decisions intersect with diplomacy, development, and global regulation.
Together, these programmes are developing leaders who are ready to shape the future of business in the UAE, the region, and beyond.
Read: Accenture’s Abir Habbal on preparing AI-savvy leaders
