Educational visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi (UAE)
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The successful inaugural Middle East STEER programme in 2010 paved the way for this popular programme to be offered again in December 2011. 27 students and three faculty and staff members participated in this 16-day programme to Doha (Qatar), Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al-Ain and Sharjah (UAE). These business school students were hosted by Qatar University in Doha, and attended lectures on “Doing Business in Qatar” and “Islamic Banking” on campus. The students also collaborated to produce a lively joint presentation on “Female Entrepreneurs in Qatar and Singapore”.
At Qatar University, with Prof Sheikha Al-Misnad, Qatar University President
and Prof Nitham M Hindi, CMA, Dean (College of Business & Economics)
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The students, many of them undertaking their first trip to the Middle East, were awed and ‘taken aback by the opportunities available in the region' during the numerous company visits which included the Qatari Ministry of Business and Trade, Qatari Development Bank, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Qatari Diar Real Estate Development Company, Al-Jazeera Network, Al Seer Logistics (Spinneys), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and government linked investment institutions such as Mubadala, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and DP World Jebel Ali Port.
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The 16-day trip was full of networking opportunities, including two official dinners and networking sessions at the Singapore embassies in Doha (Qatar) and Abu Dhabi (UAE), which were attended by the respective Charge d’Affaires – Mr Syed Noureddin bin Syed Hassim in Doha and Mr Low Pit Chen in Abu Dhabi, together with many eminent Singapore businessmen and women with wide-ranging experience working in the Arabian Gulf region. The students tapped on these occasions to learn about entrepreneurial ventures, corporate cultures, and the distinctive management practices of the region.
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Participating in the presentation on the Al-Faisal Fund at the
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani Palace Museum, Doha (Qatar)
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The STEER participants also enjoyed a kaleidoscope of socio-cultural experiences - such as visiting Souq Wakif, a camel market, cheering with the crowd at the races in a camel festival, and being personally guided by HE Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani at his museum in Doha and adjourning to his palace for dinner! To top it off - the students also had many insightful and engaging interactions with their peers at Qatar University during the programme, including attending the Arab Games 2011 Opening Ceremony.
Ms Astrid Lim, School of Business
STEER Middle East 2011 participant
“Join the trip! The places that you’ll visit, the people that you’ll meet and the things you’ll do (desert safari, meeting sheikhs, visiting souqs) will definitely leave you with a fulfilling experience and a better understanding of the Middle East. It was incredibly fun and I had a great time with wonderful people on the trip!”
Mr Alvin Lim Shan Jia, School of Business
STEER Middle East 2011 participant
“Access to such senior executives throughout the trip also meant that I collected more than 50 name cards during the company visits and dinners which I will use for future business opportunities”
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At West Bay, Doha (Qatar)
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