Sir John Cass Business School, City University London Graduation Ceremony

Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of DIFC

SIR JOHN CASS BUSINESS SCHOOL, CITY UNIVERSITY LONDON, CELEBRATES 2014 DUBAI GRADUATION CEREMONY

55 Executive MBA students from 22 nationalities shift tassels as they receive their degrees

Dubai, 15th May 2014: Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), City University London held its graduation ceremony for the fifth cohort of Sir John Cass Business School's Executive MBA programme in Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of The Emirates Group, and His Excellency Abdulla Ghobash, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, graced the ceremony with their presence in recognition of City University London and its Cass Business School's efforts to enhance Dubai's position as an education hub.

This year's ceremony, which was held at the DIFC Conference Centre, saw 55 students graduate from the Cass Executive MBA programme in Dubai, a two-year course delivered in a monthly block weekend format to accommodate busy working professionals. His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre; Professor Paul Curran, Vice-Chancellor, City University London; and Professor Cliff Oswick, Deputy Dean, Cass Business School, addressed the students as the keynote speakers. Top performing graduate Archana Narwana was honoured with an award for her academic achievement.

In his remarks to the graduating cohort, H.E. Essa Kazim, said: "At DIFC, we believe education is critical and perhaps one of the most important tools in building a strong economy. The Centre is a passionate proponent of learning and development, and we offer access to a business environment that is designed to nurture success, to harness creativity and promote enterprise. DIFC also offers its partners a world class infrastructure and cutting edge technology and facilities.

"Since it was established at the DIFC in 2007, City University London and its Cass Business School has become a regional centre of excellence, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Institution for being a part of our journey at the DIFC, and congratulate each and every one of today's graduates for successfully completing this very demanding programme and wish them the best of luck and success," H.E. Kazim concluded.

During the ceremony, Professor Paul Curran presented a letter of commendation to His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Saleh, former Governor of the DIFC, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of financial services in the United Arab Emirates, and his gracious support of City University London in the region.

Professor Paul Curran said: "I am proud to be here to recognise the outstanding achievements of the fifth cohort to graduate from our Dubai EMBA. The programme arms our graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to advance their careers in global business and the professions. Since its inception, the Dubai Centre has established itself as a dynamic hub for business education in the Middle East and offers regionally-relevant electives delivered by world leading academics. The programme has contributed to the growth of the region's knowledge-based economy and strengthened the ties between the UAE and the UK."

This year's graduation ceremony boasts a diverse cohort with an average level of work experience of 11 years and an average age of 32 years. The 2014 graduates include 16 women and candidates from 22 countries including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Ehsan Razavizadeh, Regional Director, MENA and Head of the Dubai Centre said: "I would like to congratulate our graduating class on successfully completing their EMBA programme. It is very affirming for our institution that our alumni, who reflect upon the concepts they learned, are successfully holding middle-to-senior level posts. Earning an MBA has a lifelong impact, especially when it is of world-class quality. There is no doubt that building upon the educational assets of people will directly reflect on their respective organisations' performance, as well as the overall development of the economy."

Cass Dubai's EMBA was the first programme of its kind to offer specialist Islamic finance and energy modules and offers streams in general management and leadership, mainstream finance and entrepreneurship.