The program offers students an in-depth view of the Middle East's business and cultural landscape, as a part of the School’s Doing Business in the Middle East (DBiME) Program.
Immersive Academic Experience
From November 3 – 7, 2024, students participated in a rich array of academic sessions, workshops and site visits. The study tour began with a lecture by Dina Abdelfattah, assistant professor of economics and chair of Shafik Gabr Department of Economics, on the labor market across Egypt and the MENA region. This was followed by a discussion with Alaa Hashim, founder of Transcendium, on career planning and development. Workshops on cultural intelligence by Sherif Lotfy, business strategy consultant, and business excellence by Hashem El Dandarawy, chairman of Team 4 Security, provided further insights.
Hashim noted, “When people go to different countries, they appreciate similarities more than diversity...cross-pollinating ideas from both sets of students is very valuable, not only for ideas but for connections and networks.”
El Dandarawy added, “We aim to give these students a perspective different from the textbook, as the real world is not as secure, so it is important to give them this view to help them develop throughout their careers.”
Business Dynamics Exploration
MMU students explored topics like branding, tourism, hospitality management with visits to companies such as Nestlé and Edita, providing firsthand exposure to multinational and local businesses. A highlight was visiting Al Ahly Sporting Club, where they learned about managing one of Africa’s leading sports institutions.
Maha Mourad emphasized, “It is important for visiting students to understand the dynamics of this region because a lot of multinationals are now operating here and want employees who have an idea about its features. Bringing international exposure to the campus also adds a lot of value for our own students—it’s a win-win for both.”
Cultural Adventures
Students experienced Egypt’s rich cultural heritage with tours of El Mo’ez Street, known for its Islamic architecture, and Khan El Khalili, the iconic lively market. They visited the Great Pyramids of Giza, marveling at the ancient wonder, and explored the Art D’Egypte exhibition, which showcased contemporary art in historical settings. The experience included lunch at the Mamlouk Inn Rooftop Restaurant and a Nile dinner cruise, offering a glimpse into the country's art and cuisine.
Kirsten Walker, an MMU student, said, “It’s very interesting hearing and seeing what brands are doing for the audiences here in Egypt and how that differs based on the culture, especially compared to what we’re used to in the UK and Europe. Having more cultural awareness is a big thing in marketing, so I’m glad I immersed myself in Egypt’s vibe and could use what I learned for international work”.
Reflections
Tom Willmore, a final-year MMU Sports Business Management student, shared his excitement: “After receiving an invitation in August to attend a master’s course at AUC School of Business, I’m finally here and gaining incredible insights into the MENA region’s culture, capital, and industries.”
Joshua Underhill reflected on the experience, noting the valuable business insights and aspirations for future growth: “It’s been great to come to Egypt and experience a whole different culture compared to the UK. Learning about how companies grow and plan for succession is something I aspire to be a part of in the future.”
Embracing diverse cultures and experiences helps cultivate adaptability and international business acumen, crucial competencies for ambitious business leaders. The Doing Business in the Middle East (DBiME) Program exemplifies the School’s dedication to nurturing these attributes, ensuring students expand their cultural knowledge, forge connections, and access opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and last a lifetime.
Learn more about The Doing Business in the Middle East (DBiME) Program
Discovering cross-cultural insights aligned with AUC School of Business’ efforts to promote cross-cultural learning, a week-long study tour was organized for 11 undergraduate students from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), UK.
A Global Immersion in Entrepreneurship
AUC Venture Lab (V-Lab), Egypt’s first university-based startup accelerator, has once again partnered with Columbia Business School for the “Global Immersion: Business and Entrepreneurship in Egypt” program. This collaboration allows V-Lab entrepreneurs to gain insights from top international talent while introducing Columbia’s MBA students to Egypt’s vibrant entrepreneurship scene.
Innovative Startups Leading the Way
This semester, eight V-Lab alumni startups participated in the program:
Virtual Collaborations and In-Person Insights
The program began in September 2024 when Columbia’s MBA students were virtually paired up with entrepreneurs from each startup to enhance business development, product development, and user experience. This virtual collaboration laid the groundwork for a study tour and the closing ceremony in Egypt.
Ahmed Ashour, co-founder of Palm, expressed his view from an entrepreneurial stance, “The team was incredibly collaborative, bringing in diverse perspectives. It felt like engaging with consumers we truly valued, offering insights into what we’re building and why. Their fresh viewpoints challenged and inspired us”.
Cultural Exchange and Learning
Marco Viola, adjunct professor at Columbia Business School and managing partner and founder of Nexus Partners, highlighted the program’s goal, “The idea is to bring people from the US and Egypt together to understand cultures and ecosystems. We are also trying to build a bridge between the two universities while we foster integration and communication between the two different parts of the world. When you get people together, the results can be amazing”.
Ayman Ismail, Abdul Latif Jameel endowed chair of entrepreneurship and AUC Venture Lab director, added, “Columbia MBA students bring extensive experience in the financial sector and international markets, along with diverse backgrounds. The collaboration enriches our entrepreneurs’ fresh knowledge and perspectives”.
Celebrating Success
The closing event on October 17, 2024, featured welcoming remarks from Dean Sherif Kamel followed by panel discussions with entrepreneurs Ahmed Ashour, co-founder of Palm, and Abdelrahman Selim, co-founder and CEO of 2oolameme, and presentations from each startup on how to improve their particular startup’s performance before a lively networking session took place.
Columbia MBA student Franco Oneglia remarked, “I don’t think a lot of us expected the richness in culture and offerings of the people here. The startups were super gracious in lending us their time, opening their doors, and showing how they’re operating specifically for a market different to what we’re used to in the US. Learning how it’s all different in Egypt and emerging markets was the biggest takeaway”.
Paige Prieto, another Columbia MBA student, noted, “I had the most fun here! It’s been so great to see Efika’s impact as a small business in an emerging market and wonderful to really understand the challenges and opportunities they face. They’ve been able to create something and it’s very inspiring. As for Egypt, being able to get exposure to not only the business side, but to experience a lot of the cultural aspects has been very rewarding”.
A Testament to Global Learning
This collaboration is a testament to the School of Business’ commitment to internationalization, providing vital opportunities for global learning, entrepreneurial growth, and knowledge dissemination. It paves the way for the development of global business leaders who can make a lasting impact.
AUC Venture Lab (V-Lab), Egypt’s first university-based startup accelerator, has once again partnered with Columbia Business School for the “Global Immersion: Business and Entrepreneurship in Egypt” program.
