Roundup: Dubai serves as incubator for young talents via DBI scheme

The Dubai Business Internships (DBI) Class of 2016 celebrated Sunday a total of 35 DBI graduates from the prestigious initiative run under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

A total of 35 young interns, twenty from China, along with graduates from Kazakhstan, Russia and the United States, graduated from the 10-month fully-funded course facilitated by Falcon and Associates, the strategic advisory company for the Dubai government.

The internships as part of the second annual DBI scheme, featured work placements with Dubai's leading commercial and government entities, academic training, as well as a focus on cultural understanding.

"We are very proud to see our second year of interns make their mark in Dubai and graduate ready for the workplace," said James Maughan, Director of Dubai Business Internships at Falcon and Associates, at the ceremony held at Dubai International Financial Centre Conference Centre (DIFC).

Kathryn, a Chinese women from Shanghai did her internship with Falcon herself and told Xinhua that she even worked for the UAE Prime Minister's office.

"My main role to work as a program manager to help realising the world's first 3D office which was set up in the DIFC and as a consultant for Falcon," said Ms. Kathryn who will return back to her home city Shanghai to start a career in investment banking.

The world's first functional 3D printed building, which was inaugurated on May 23 in Dubai, is an office space covering up to 250 square metres, with its exterior design reflecting "the most innovative forms of the future workplace," according to Dubai government. Most of the material to realize the project was delivered from Shanghai.

Raymond, a DBI graduate from Xi'an, capital of China's Shaanxi Province, told Xinhua he worked in project management in the authority of the free zone Dubai Silicon Oasis and that he is looking now for a job in Dubai.

"The sheikhdom is a booming hub in the Middle East and I feel can learn much more in Dubai and add value to companies with my knowledge in finance," he said.

Ms. Xu who has a diploma in architecture worked during her DBI months at Emaar Properties, the biggest developer of the UAE.

"I was proud to be part of the team which designed a new hotel which is in the pipeline of Emaar's real estate portfolio," she said, adding that she liked most of the management seminars which are part of the DBI program.

Speaking at the ceremony as a representative of the DBI Placement Partners, Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO, Asset Management with the UAE's biggest lender Emirates NBD, said the interns have been invaluable, helping the bank gain cultural insights to engage more effectively with key international markets.

"Organizations across Dubai are always looking for exceptional talent and we look forward to more future business leaders joining us again next year," said Bin Hendi, a member of the influential Emirati Bin Hendi clan.

All graduates plan to meet for a reunion in 2020 when Dubai will host the six-month lasting World Expo 2020.

DBI program director Maughan said "We look forward to staying in touch with the interns through our alumni network and it is encouraging to already see them adopting the role of cultural ambassadors for Dubai." Endit