Strathclyde's UAE centre marks 30 years with anniversary dinner
Thirty years of Strathclyde Business School’s presence in the UAE was marked with an unforgettable anniversary dinner bringing together our community of students, alumni, faculty and community partners on November 22 at the Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel in Dubai.
Having launched our flagship MBA programme in the region in 1995, our UAE centre commemorated this important milestone with what was a high-profile event bringing together members of the Strathclyde UAE community, including current students, alumni, faculty, and key external stakeholders – with representatives from SDI, the British Embassy, and the British Council.
Abigail Davenport, Head of Campus, Strathclyde Business School - UAE, said, "We planned this event to celebrate three decades of Strathclyde's impact and legacy in the UAE, and we were delighted to welcome so many distinguished guests and alumni to commemorate this important milestone.
"Our alumni have wholeheartedly been behind us in the planning of this event, with many taking an active role in the organisation and acting as speakers on the evening itself. This truly was a collaborative and community-led initiative, aligned with the University's values and belief in lifelong connection and professional development.
"This anniversary is a celebration of people, partnerships, ambition, and the transformational impact Strathclyde alumni continue to make across the region and beyond. Our MBA graduates are leaders shaping industries, building organisations, driving innovation, and contributing meaningfully to the social and economic progress of the Middle East. Their achievements are the true legacy of our 30 years in the UAE."
Assistant Principal and Executive Dean of Strathclyde Business School, Professor David Hillier was unable to attend in person but sent a video message of his well wishes, thanking everyone attending for coming together to celebrate this milestone. He spoke about how SBS has always been a pioneering institution and how, as part of that, we were the very first UK university to receive CAA accreditation in the UAE from the Ministry of Higher Education in 2006. He spoke too of how wonderful it was to see so many of our Strathclyde MBA alumni in senior positions across the region.
Around 100 guests were in attendance with alumni from the very first UAE cohort until the present day represented. Abigail Davenport welcomed the assembled guests before speeches from Professor Ibrahim Khadra, Executive Dean, University of Strathclyde - Bahrain; Andrew Clark, Deputy Consul General, British Embassy Dubai; and Asmaa Ibrahim, UAE Alumni UK Programme Director, British Council Dubai.
Professor Khadra said, "These developments across the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia signal something important: Strathclyde is not only present in the region - we are shaping the region’s future of higher education.
"Our values remain fully aligned with the UAE’s own national vision. The UAE’s spirit of innovation, ambition, and excellence mirrors the ethos set out by our founder, Professor John Anderson, who established Strathclyde in 1796 as 'a place of useful learning.' The country’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 highlights the importance of developing talent and driving economic growth - goals that resonate strongly with our mission and our MBA philosophy."
The gathering also heard several testimonials from some key UAE alumni before Dr Jed Moore announced special recognition awards and the Dean's Project Award winners for 2025.
Since launching the MBA in the UAE in 1995, Strathclyde Business School has remained at the forefront of executive education. Our regional footprint continues to expand through the rapidly growing University of Strathclyde Bahrain campus, and our momentum is strengthened further by the newly approved partnership with Princess Nourah University (PNU) in Saudi Arabia.
As we mark 30 years of success in the UAE, we look to the future with optimism and ambition - committed to advancing executive education, supporting leadership development, and deepening our impact across the Middle East through our thriving Dubai campus, expanding Bahrain hub, and new partnerships in Saudi Arabia.
From 1995 to 2025, here’s to the next chapter shaped by our powerful alumni community, our collaborative spirit, and our shared commitment to progress.
Published: 25 November 2025
