Doing Business in the Middle East: A Transformative EMBA Experience

As part of its international collaborations, the Onsi Sawiris School of Business recently hosted 38 Executive MBA participants from the Antwerp Management School (AMS) in Belgium as part of the Doing Business in the Middle East program (DBiME). The diverse group represented students from over five countries who explored Egypt's dynamic business landscape and rich cultural heritage, gaining invaluable insights into the Middle Eastern business ecosystem.

Understanding Business in the Middle East

The DBiME program is designed to immerse participants in the complexities of operating in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Egypt -  a key driving force in the region’s business ecosystem. Over five days, the program offered a comprehensive experience, covering essential economic trends, legal frameworks and practical simulations.

The goal is to provide a snapshot of the region’s business environment in just one week. Participants engaged in activities ranging from theoretical learning to real-world applications, ensuring they left with both academic knowledge and practical skills.

Strengthening International Ties

This study tour marked the second time the Onsi Sawiris School of Business hosted AMS EMBA students, strengthening the partnership between the two institutions and highlighting the continuous relevance and rigor of the school’s programs in delivering academic and professional excellence on a global scale.

“At AMS, our tagline is Opening Minds to Impact the World and I truly believe that by being here in the region, the combination of both those academic insights, but also those engagements with people of the local business community, really is a good example of how we are trying to bring those values to the students - we're very grateful for having AUC as a partner,” said Veronique Dewilde, EMBA program director at AMS.

Academic and Practical Insights

The study tour featured lectures delivered by the Onsi Sawiris School of Business’s faculty, focusing on regional economic trends, corporate governance, and regulatory frameworks. These academic sessions were complemented by practical knowledge-sharing sessions from leading players in the Egyptian market, covering topics such as consumer behavior, partnerships and entrepreneurship.

“I really enjoyed the fact that the instructors are really practical. So, every single example they give is directed at the case they have. I think that attracts a lot of students,” said Frederico Silva, team leader engineering at Atlas Copco Group, and one of the participating students,

Immersive Business Experiences

The program also included on-site visits to major companies operating in Egypt, providing AMS students with a firsthand look at real-life business contexts. Highlights included visits to Procter & Gamble Egypt's head office and Domty, one of the country’s biggest food and beverage companies. 

These visits offered students a chance to observe how businesses operate in Egypt while challenging them to apply their knowledge through the immersive simulations that concluded the tour.

“I am doing this EMBA to develop my skills, to open my mind. That’s exactly what is happening here, particularly in Egypt. It's really a discovery of a new culture, a new way of thinking and it's another way to see also what's happening in Belgium, compared to here,” said student Gilles Boon, CFO of Climatech International.

A Transformative Learning Experience

The Doing Business in the Middle East program not only enhances cross-cultural understanding, but also equips participants with the tools to navigate the region’s unique business environment. Through its blend of academic rigor, practical insights and immersive experiences, the program continues to be a transformative journey for global leaders seeking to expand their horizons.

By hosting programs like DBiME, the Onsi Sawiris School of Business reaffirms its role as a hub for international collaboration and a leader in preparing professionals for the challenges of an interconnected world.