Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding between the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development and two leading Asian universities, Seoul National University in South Korea and Peking University in China.
The agreements mark another important step in strengthening Dubai’s position as a global center for leadership excellence, management, and innovation, while expanding opportunities to share the emirate’s development and administrative experience with prominent academic institutions around the world.
The two partnerships aim to launch a new series of Dubai leadership research studies inspired by the experiences of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, in leadership, management, and decision-making.
The initiative will also help document Dubai’s leadership experience and make it available as an international academic reference for students, researchers, executives, and future leaders.
Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum Strengthens Dubai’s Place on the Global Leadership Map
The agreements were signed during the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development. The annual forum is one of the most prominent gatherings dedicated to leadership and management, bringing together 1,000 leading figures from Dubai’s government and private sectors.
The forum provided a platform for discussing the future of administrative and leadership transformation, with a particular focus on developing modern management practices, strengthening institutional performance, and preparing leaders to respond effectively to future challenges.
The event reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, to further establish Dubai as a global capital of excellence and innovation while maintaining its leadership and achievements across different sectors.
The two memoranda of understanding are among the key outcomes of the forum, creating new opportunities for international academic cooperation and expanding access to Dubai’s leadership experience.
Through these partnerships, the emirate’s approaches to leadership, public administration, and institutional development will become part of a wider exchange of knowledge involving universities, researchers, and executive leaders internationally.
Dubai Leadership Research to Become Part of MBA Programs
The two agreements focus on developing and launching a new collection of Dubai leadership research studies specifically designed for Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs and executive education.
These studies will examine the leadership and management approach of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, highlighting the experiences and practices that have contributed to Dubai’s development and institutional achievements.
Particular attention will be given to governance, innovation, strategic decision-making, and anticipating future needs, with the aim of making these experiences accessible through structured academic research and practical case studies.
Under the agreements, the Dubai case study will be incorporated into MBA and executive education programs at Seoul National University and Peking University. This will provide hundreds of students and executive leaders in each cohort with direct access to Dubai’s leadership experience and the lessons it offers.
The partnership also includes presenting Dubai leadership research through academic conferences, workshops, and educational platforms, helping extend its reach among universities and institutions specializing in leadership and management.
The broader objective is to establish the leadership experience of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as an inspiring model for academic study and decision-making, allowing students and professionals from East to West to explore its principles and practical applications.
The initiative is also expected to enrich leadership curricula in the UAE, support the preparation of future leaders, and reinforce Dubai’s position as an international center for leadership knowledge and research.
Academic Partnerships Open New Channels for Sharing Dubai’s Experience
The two memoranda of understanding were signed on behalf of the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development by Saeed Al Eter, Director General of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Seoul National University was represented by Professor Dr. John Ki Kim, Executive Vice President of the university and a professor at its Graduate School of Public Administration.
Peking University was represented by Professor Yongjun Park, Vice Dean of the Peking University HSBC Business School.
The agreements represent an important development in the international expansion of Dubai leadership research through collaboration with two highly regarded academic institutions recognized for their contributions to education, research, and management studies.
As part of the initiative, Dubai’s leadership case studies will be published through The Case Centre, an international organization whose educational materials reach more than 500 business schools across over 90 countries.
This distribution will make the research available to tens of thousands of students and leaders every year, significantly widening access to Dubai’s experience in leadership and institutional development.
The research will also be published in Harvard Business Review, which has a readership of more than 10 million people. This will further extend the initiative’s reach among business executives, management consultants, academics, and thought leaders around the world.
By making these studies available through internationally recognized academic and professional platforms, the partnerships will contribute to documenting the legacy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in innovation, governance, leadership, and future planning.
They will also strengthen Dubai’s contribution to international management education and support the exchange of practical leadership knowledge across different countries and institutions.
His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi: Dubai Offers an Inspiring Model for Development and Innovation
His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, affirmed that Dubai has become a unique global model for comprehensive development and institutional work built on innovation, the courage to take initiative, and decision-making. This reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for leadership and management, as well as His Highness’s directives to introduce strategic plans that place people at the forefront of priorities, making His Highness’s leadership approach a global reference and an example to follow in the philosophy of sustainable development.
His Excellency said: “Dubai is today the focus of the world’s attention, and its developmental and civilizational experience has become a shining example of how creative ideas can be transformed into tangible reality through determination and the ability to develop ambitious leaders who are qualified to achieve Dubai’s long-term visions through unconventional approaches.”
His Excellency further noted that launching a new series of Dubai leadership research studies aligns with the mission of the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development to advance leadership thinking, enhance institutional readiness for the future, and consolidate the UAE’s leadership across various vital sectors.
Seoul National University Looks to Develop New Models for Government Work
Professor Dr. John Ki Kim emphasized the significance of the memorandum of understanding between Seoul National University and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, particularly in expanding cooperation and combining the expertise of both institutions in leadership, innovation, and public administration.
He said: “The memorandum of understanding represents a significant step forward in cooperation between Seoul National University and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, bringing together the expertise of both sides in leadership and innovation. Through this collaboration, we look forward to developing models and practices that contribute to improving the efficiency of government work, strengthening its ability to keep pace with global transformations, and responding to changing challenges with more effective solutions.”
Professor Kim explained that the partnership reflects a shared vision for improving government practices and preparing leaders with advanced decision-making tools.
He also highlighted the importance of developing leadership capabilities that can recognize global changes, understand their implications for different sectors, and turn emerging developments into opportunities for improvement.
Such capabilities, he noted, are important for supporting development efforts and meeting national ambitions to improve people’s quality of life.
The cooperation between Seoul National University and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development will bring together academic knowledge and practical leadership experience to support the development of more effective government management practices.
Peking University Highlights the Importance of Sharing Leadership and Economic Expertise
Professor Yongjun Park emphasized that the agreement between Peking University and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development builds on growing cooperation between institutions in the UAE and China that share a commitment to knowledge, innovation, and leadership development.
He said: “The cooperation between Peking University and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development is an extension of growing relations between two institutions that believe in the role of knowledge and innovation in supporting growth and developing leaders. Through this partnership, we aim to exchange expertise and develop distinctive initiatives that serve business leaders in the UAE and China, while expanding the benefits of these experiences to leaders and institutions around the world.”
He added: “This partnership provides an opportunity to benefit from diverse experiences in developing business environments and strengthening the ability to understand global economic changes and respond to them with flexibility, helping build leadership capabilities that are better prepared to seize opportunities and face the challenges posed by a rapidly changing global economy.”
The agreement reflects the importance of international cooperation in exchanging knowledge and successful practices, particularly as economic developments continue to create new challenges and opportunities for business leaders.
It also supports closer academic and research collaboration between the two institutions, with opportunities to develop educational initiatives that benefit executives and business leaders in the UAE and China.
The partnership is designed to extend the value of these experiences beyond the two countries, allowing leaders and institutions elsewhere to benefit from the knowledge and management practices shared through the initiative.
Seoul National University: A Leading Academic Institution in Public Administration
Seoul National University (SNU) is one of South Korea’s leading national universities, with a strong international reputation for academic excellence, research capabilities, and its long-standing contribution to national development and public-sector leadership.
The university’s Graduate School of Public Administration (GSPA) is particularly recognized for its work in public policy and administration.
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2025, the school ranked eighth globally in Social Policy and Administration, reflecting its established position in these fields.
Founded in 1946, Seoul National University has contributed to the education and development of successive generations of leaders across government, diplomacy, academia, science, and industry.
The institution has also played an important role in South Korea’s transformation into one of the world’s leading economies and its development into a society increasingly driven by knowledge and innovation.
Its academic and research experience gives the partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development particular importance, creating opportunities to exchange expertise in government management, leadership education, and the study of successful administrative practices.
The collaboration also offers a way to introduce Dubai’s leadership experience to students and executives through the university’s established academic programs.
Peking University: A Long-Established Institution Preparing Future Leaders
Peking University is among China’s oldest and most distinguished higher education institutions. Established in 1898 as the country’s first comprehensive national university, it has a long history of contributing to higher education, academic research, and professional development.
The university includes a broad network of colleges, schools, and research centers covering disciplines such as humanities, social sciences, economics, management, engineering, medicine, and natural sciences.
Among its prominent academic institutions is the Peking University HSBC Business School, established in 2004 in Shenzhen to expand the university’s contributions to research and education in economics, finance, and business management.
The school offers a range of academic programs, including doctoral degrees, specialized master’s degrees, Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) programs.
It also provides executive education and professional development programs designed to strengthen leadership and management capabilities.
The school’s international approach combines a global perspective with an in-depth understanding of China’s economy and business environment, giving it a distinctive position in management education.
Through its cooperation with the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, Peking University will be able to incorporate Dubai’s leadership experience into its academic and research activities.
The partnership will also support the exchange of management knowledge and contribute to leadership education through practical studies drawn from Dubai’s development and institutional experience.
