Strategic management theme for Dubai alumni event

The University of Strathclyde Alumni Association Dubai Group hosted their annual dinner event for the Strathclyde UAE community on January 13 at the Steigenberger Hotel.

Themed around the topic of 'Strategic Management in Challenging Times', the event featured a panel of five Strathclyde MBA alumni and attracted around 70 Strathclyde staff, students, alumni and friends.

The evening started off with some lively networking with guests warmly welcomed by committee member Loretta Myers who invited Dr Ron Bradfield, Director of Strathclyde Business School UAE, to round-up the Business School's achievements in 2016. Highlights included the celebration of 50 years of the Strathclyde MBA, the Times Higher Education award for UK Business School of the Year, and Strathclyde's excellent result in the Financial Times Executive MBA ranking.

The panel discussion on Strategic Management in Challenging Times, took place with guest panellists Ahmed Kandil, CEO, Arabian Group Holding and Co-Founder and Board Member, Luxury Living Investments LLC; Hardy Bütschi, Vice President and General Manager at Jet Aviation Dubai LLC; Rajiv Sawhney, Managing Director at Landis+Gyr AG; Rashid Bashir, Partner and Head of Public Sector at Deloitte Middle East; and Zoff Khan, CEO at Emitac Mobile Solutions.

The panel was moderated by committee member, Wolfgang Sack, who facilitated the discussion and exchange between panel members.

Contributing insights into how strategy and execution was developed and managed in their own organisations, the panellists shared perspectives on how the current business environment was impacting on these practices. The richness of the discussion, taking in sector-specific insights and diverse and sometimes opposing views, made for a compelling and insightful panel discussion.

Commenting afterwards, Dr Bradfield said, "I was very impressed with the calibre of the panel. Their breadth of experience and depth of understanding shone through. It was also gratifying to hear -and testament to the quality of the Strathclyde MBA - that these distinguished business leaders still value and apply the theory and practice from our strategic management module."

Alumnus Rehan Naeem, Director of Corporate Happiness & Outcomes at Touch Points, donated neuroscience-based assessments as part of the raffle which brought the evening to a close.

Alumnus,Scott Myers said of the event, "The panel discussion was the obvious highlight of this evening but my favourite aspect of these events is the opportunity to meet both old and new colleagues in a casual but academic setting and in that respect, this year's event was no exception. A great evening!"