All-female team gears up for management challenge
dubai — The winners of the fourth edition of the UAE Global Management Challenge are preparing to take on the winners from over 30 different countries in Doha for the coveted title of global champions. An all- Emirati girls team comprising of students from the Higher Colleges of Technology emerged victorious after several rounds of intense challenges, becoming the first all-Emirati team to win the competition.
Team ‘United Spirits’ consisting of Khadija Al Marzouqi, Afra Al Mezaina, Auhood Al Ali, and Ohood Ahmed worked together in a simulated environment for three months, analysing financial positions and making decisions in operations, manufacturing, distribution, human resources management, and
With each passing year, we see an increased appetite from young professionals who participate and who continue to raise the bar Abdulrahman Saqr, Director of HR at Al-Futtaim Automotive
marketing. The team is now representing the UAE at the International Finals taking in Qatar.
Mian Muneer ud din, managing partner of Beaufort Associates, the consulting and advisory services firm responsible for bringing the Global Management Challenge to the UAE, noted that the fourth edition of the challenge saw a total of 223 teams comprising of over 850 participants from 30 universities across the UAE taking part.
“We are pleased to note that over the last four years, not only has the number of participants increased, but also the number of participating universities. This has happened as the faculty have realised the value for their students’ participation in the competition and faculty interest and involvement has made it relatively easier for us to convince and recruit students for the competition,” he said.
He also disclosed that in each of the qualifying rounds the competition is now a much more hardfought battle between the participating teams. Following a three-month knockout contest, the top eight teams out of the total 223 competed in a one day marathon session to be awarded the coveted title of ‘UAE Global Management Challenge Champions.’
Muneer ud din said that it is particularly gratifying to see that, for the first time, an Emirati girls team comprising of students from the Higher Colleges of Technology, has been declared the winner of the competition. “We really have great hopes from the team and would be accompanying them to lend our support as well as our best wishes.”
The UAE Global Management Challenge was organised under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and is run with the sponsorship of Al Futtaim Automotive. Al Futtaim Automotive will also send the winning team members to Tokyo to visit the Toyota and Lexus manufacturing facilities to gain firsthand experience on the best practices followed in the industry.
Abdulrahman Saqr, director of HR at Al Futtaim Automotive, lauded the quality of the participating teams this year. “With each passing year, we see an increased appetite from young professionals who participate and who continue to raise the bar. At Al Futtaim, it is part and parcel of our DNA to support and nurture local talent and provide them with every opportunity to grow and succeed.”
Saqr also said that the challenge helps to promote diversity in various segments across the board, and is a magnet for attracting local talent.
“We have been sponsoring this event for two years now, and are very pleased with how the competition has grown.”
— rohma@khaleejtimes.com