Forty undergraduate students, accompanied by Helyn Gould (Vice Dean Academic), spent six days in Dubai in early April, exposing themselves to the history and business environment of Dubai, through a series of guest lectures, site (and sightseeing) visits, and interactions with Dubai resident professionals.
The historical and political context of the UAE was expertly set by Ammar Shams, HSBC Middle East's Regional Head of Corporate Sustainability and Diversity, and SBS UAE Advisory Board Member. Site visits included the Grand Hyatt and Jebel Ali Free Zone and Port (the world's largest man-made port). Briefings by executives from these institutions as well as a member of Dubai's Smart Government demonstrated how Dubai's strategic vision, to act as the hub of the area within a 4-hour flight that spans three continents and includes nearly 2 billion people (a third of the world's population), is manifested in infrastructure and business developments.
Students were able to present and share their insights with resident professionals, and measured Strathclyde's presence in the UAE, interacting with several of its alumni, students or partners.
Bryan Gemmel, a final year International Business student, said of the visit, "I was extremely impressed, perhaps surprised, with how Dubai's strategy was explained in a context which was understandable and that allowed comparisons to be made. Through insight, I was able to make clear connections/linkages between content from previous classes. From being one of the older students, I got the impression that the six-day Dubai study visit actually impacted some students more than the six-month exchange has impacted my friends. It has opened up opportunities and outlook and allowed some of the third years not doing IB to realise their potential and develop a sort of 'global mindset'.
"I have kept in touch with some of the people on the tour who are now looking at international internships, jobs, etc. as opposed to just domestic/UK-based."
This international study tour, the first of this kind, is expected to become an annual feature.