Moez's 11,000km trip to school

An Executive MBA programme in Dubai is compared to running a marathon: a challenging endeavour but one that provides a sense of fulfilment at the finish line.

Moez Kassam, 29, travels the 11,088km from Toronto once a month to spend four days in Dubai. He makes that long distance journey as part of his studies towards an Executive MBA (EMBA) programme at the London Business School in Dubai. He also has a full-time job as a hedge fund manager in Canada.

But Mr Kassam says the jet lag is worth it. He could have picked a city closer to home to study a similar course but the idea of attending the institution in Dubai was too good to ignore. "I was particularly attracted by the opportunity of attending a world-class university, London Business School, in an emerging, dynamic city like Dubai," he says. "The setting is rife with opportunity." Mr Kassam is one of a number of students in the programme who travel from cities around the world, including Tokyo, Russia and Kazakhstan, to spend a few days a month in Dubai. He is also one of a growing number pursuing higher education despite the tougher financial times.

The EMBA is not for the faint-hearted. From the application process to sitting their final exams, students are put through a boot-camp style drill, with course commitments encroaching on all aspects of their lives. Having a full-time job is one of the course requirements, so good time-management skills are crucial to getting through the programme. "I've managed by carving out dedicated time each day, usually in the evening and on weekends, and of course on planes," Mr Kassam says.

"I've had to drastically reduce my recreational travel while temporarily suspending, or at least minimising, my involvement with certain groups and causes. There is no way around these sorts of compromises as the curriculum is rigorous and demanding." Dr Kevin Dunseath, the director of London Business School's Dubai centre, says the course, which runs for between 17 and 21 months with the latter part spent in London, is akin to running a marathon.

"It is a tough and academically challenging programme but, like the marathon, when you finish it you will feel really good," Dr Dunseath says. The Dubai centre, which opened in early 2007, will welcome its fourth intake of students in September. Dr Dunseath says applications for this year's class increased by 20 per cent compared with last year, as more people turn to education to better equip themselves for a more competitive work environment.

Despite the boost in applications, admissions are stilled capped at 78. "Our primary interest is not quantity, it's quality," Dr Dunseath says. "People have become more serious in the last nine months and are perhaps realising now what would be a really good investment in their lives. "In the good days when making money was easy, who needed education? Also, the job market is more competitive. Companies want people who are confident and competent with working in global environments."

The course covers a range of business sectors, with the aim of turning people who already have at least four years' experience at a managerial level into company leaders. "One of the aims of the programme is to enable students to make a step-change in their careers and function anywhere in the world at the most senior levels," Dr Dunseath adds. "Often we have people who are functionally very competent, able and very good managers but they might want to ? deepen their understanding of business and management."

Australian Jonty Nel, 37, graduated this year. Mr Nel is now working as senior vice president for GE Capital Aviation Services in Abu Dhabi and says the course helped him grow in confidence, personally and professionally. "I've developed a strong belief in my own ability to be successful in the future; a true sense of confidence that I'm well equipped to handle whatever challenges the world throws at me," he says.

But expanding your horizons does not come without cost: the EMBA costs US$88,000 (Dh323,224). Dr Dunseath says that roughly half the number of students receive full or partial financial backing from their employers. "There has been a decline since last year, but some companies are still surprisingly open to funding." [e-mail]