NYUAD's Stern School of Business to ‘drive change’ and build new leaders

One-year MBA programme is the first in the region offered by a leading US business school

The first batch of students at Stern School of Business, NYU Abu Dhabi. All Photos: Victor Besa / The National

Layla Al Mulla

Matthew Chronis

Hamdan Al Hosani

Devina Taimni

Robert Salomon, the dean of Stern at NYUAD during the inauguration of the Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi

The Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi was officially opened on Monday night, with a promise to use academic excellence to nurture global change-makers to cement the city’s growing position as an international business hub.

The first batch of 54 graduates from 25 countries are keen to study in a country and region that welcomes overseas talent.

Stern is the highest globally ranked business school offering a full-time MBA in the Middle East and North Africa region, with graduates receiving a degree jointly conferred by NYU Stern and NYU Abu Dhabi.

It's Stern calibre geared to our Middle East context and that is extremely powerful

Devina Taimni,
student from first 2025 Stern at NYUAD batch

Robert Salomon, dean of the Stern School of Business at NYUAD, told The National the demand for business talent had grown dramatically in the region. “The UAE sits at the heart of this dynamic region, offering a diverse and thriving environment for growth in almost any field you can imagine,” he said. “That’s why it’s such a big deal that Stern is expanding its global reach by launching this programme, it’s the first time the school will offer its flagship MBA programme outside of New York City.”

The MBA programme will match the rigour of two-year education with a strong focus on the Middle East economy. The class of 2025 will work on projects with leading firms such as Microsoft, Abu Dhabi Global Markets, Masdar and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and includes a study module at the New York campus.

A cross section of students, who have worked in consulting, financial and technology companies, outline why they are enthusiastic about the programme.

Learning should never stop

Emirati entrepreneur Layla Al Mulla remembers sending an email to NYUAD more than a decade ago to ask whether the university would open a business school and is thrilled to be in the first batch.

“Learning should never stop,” the Abu Dhabi resident said. “Even 10 years ago, when I emailed NYU, I knew then that I wanted to study further.”

Ms Al Mulla, 37, has worked in business development in the real estate and port sectors before starting businesses in the retail, food and beverage sector in 2015.

“I manage four small businesses and have reached a point where I feel I need more knowledge,” she said. “If I can learn more to scale up or I get inspired with a new idea that I can implement in my country, that will be incredible.”

Linda Mills, president of NYU during the inauguration of the Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Mother to three boys, aged between six and 12, studying close to home and keeping an eye on her businesses is invaluable.

“When my boys go to school, I’m going to university. The boys are proud of me and I have a very supportive husband,” she said. “I made a promise to myself that as I have been accepted to one of the strongest programmes in world, I want to make my country proud.”

Part of the growth story

US citizen Matthew Chronis is a strong believer “in the trajectory of the economy in the UAE and the GCC and wants to be part of growing the economy".

Raised in San Diego, Mr Chronis has worked in the financial services sector in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and visited the UAE for work and on holiday over the past few years.

“It feels more stimulating and exciting to be in a part of the world that is growing so vastly, rather than be part of the world like the US that is continuing to grow but is further along in its growth cycle,” he said.

A one-year MBA means he would lose only 12 months of earnings as opposed to a typical two-year business programme. The class diversity is a stepping stone to building connections.

“My chief reason for the MBA was so I could build a network out here and really start to dig some roots in the GCC,” he said. "It is tough to do that when you come out on short trips."

Adopting AI

Emirati computer engineer Hamdan Al Hosani, 28, is excited to be part of a top US business school in his home country. “I was actually the first to be admitted, so there was such excitement about being accepted,” he said. “It is also prestigious because people know the school name and it is highly reputed throughout the industry.”

Having worked in the technology departments of Aldar and du, picking up managerial skills is key. “The experiential learning drew me because it’s the leadership skills I will learn and network I will build,” Mr Al Hosani said. “We will work on signature internship projects with big clients and this will give me perspective on how global businesses operate.”

The Abu Dhabi resident also hopes to grasp the nuances of new technology along the way. “Adoption of AI is a hot topic, this programme will help me gain the business acumen to understand how to persuade, how to lead people to change, because change is not easy to implement,” he said.

Welcoming foreign talent

Devina Taimni said a big draw for students was that the UAE and region was ready to welcome foreign talent.

Ms Taimni, 25, has lived in the UAE, studied in the UK and US, worked in a chemical firm in Texas and was part of a legal research team for an Indian judge in New Delhi.

Devina Taimni is among the first batch of graduates. Victor Besa / The National

“I’m looking to pivot into financial services and given the big businesses with Mena headquarters, the job market is much more attractive here," she said. “People are also much more welcoming of foreign talent. That’s the pull for the many Americans and Europeans in our class because they recognise these regions are more welcoming for long-term growth.”

Internship opportunities with top firms are a big draw, too. “These internships are pivotal,” she said. “It’s very attractive for people who want to get a foot in the door because I don’t have any previous experience in finance but know that’s the direction I want to take.”

She said Stern NYU’s motto – "Change, dare it, dream it, drive it" – echoes her ambition to harness every opportunity.

Future change-makers

Robert Salomon, dean of the new school, has been a faculty member at Stern NY since 2005 and was vice dean for executive programmes. He said the emirate was a natural choice for Stern.

“Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming a global capital, increasingly an academic, cultural, financial and business hub,” he said.

Faculty members with doctorates from the world’s top business schools will teach and conduct research in Abu Dhabi. “We’re bringing together a diverse group of talented professionals and future business leaders,” Mr Salomon said.

“By tapping into NYU’s global network, Stern’s reputation for academic excellence and Abu Dhabi’s status as a major business hub, we’re offering an experience that you can’t find elsewhere.

“Students are choosing our programme because they believe in what we’re building – a strong network of graduates who aren’t just future business leaders but change-makers ready to make a real impact, both locally and globally.”