His Excellency Mr Essam Abdulaziz Al Jassim, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to France, recently met with students enrolled in the MBA programme at the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU). This engagement occurred during the students’ visit to Paris, where they are undertaking both theoretical and practical courses at ESSEC Business School. The Ambassador extended his best wishes for their success in their higher studies and expressed appreciation for AGU’s commitment to enhancing the knowledge, skills and capabilities of graduate students in the fields of economics and commerce, ensuring that they meet the evolving demands of the job market. He commended the university’s dedication to providing a supportive and encouraging environment that fosters innovation, particularly through partnerships with prestigious international universities.

On his part, Prof. Waleed Zubari, Dean of the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences at AGU, noted that the MBA programme is founded on a strategic partnership between the Arabian Gulf University and ESSEC Business School France, which has been ranked among the top 10 European universities in Business Administration by the Financial Times. The programme has enjoyed considerable success over the years, having graduated hundreds of young leaders who have subsequently assumed leadership roles in government ministries, companies and institutions within both the public and private sectors across the GCC countries, owing to the high regard in which Gulf nations hold the MBA programme and its strong alumni outcomes.

Meanwhile, Dr Adel Al Alawi, the Coordinator of the MBA programme, remarked: “Graduates of this programme possess robust academic qualifications developed over years of study and practical training. A significant portion of this strength is attributable to the solid academic partnership with the French Republic and ESSEC Business School, which is an integral element in the success narrative of the MBA programme at AGU. This collaboration has opened new academic and scientific horizons for the university.”

He further indicated that new opportunities for collaboration with France are currently being explored to bolster joint research and academic cooperation in the near future. Recently, AGU has discussed the potential launch of a new postgraduate programme in health facility management.

The MBA programme provides a dynamic educational environment delivered by faculty members from both AGU and ESSEC Business School over an 18-month period, featuring a well-balanced blend of theoretical and practical sessions. Classes are conducted at AGU in Bahrain, while students spend a fortnight at ESSEC’s campus in Paris, engaging in lectures, workshops, specialised business conferences and site visits to some of the largest commercial enterprises.