Scholarships for world-leading executive education programmes offered to support the career development and leadership ambitions of Emirati women
Dubai, UAE – 28 September 2026: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and London Business School, a world-leading business school with a longstanding presence in the UAE, today announced a new initiative to support the professional development and career progression of Emirati women.
As part of the DIFC Academy’s 20th year of providing executive and academic education and its commitment to connecting talent with some of the world’s leading educational institutions, London Business School (LBS) will provide 10 scholarships on its Executive Education Open programmes for Emirati women from the DIFC community, supporting participants to develop new skills, broaden their leadership capabilities and accelerate their careers.
The initiative will provide Emirati women with access to one of the world’s leading providers of executive education. London Business School’s Open Executive Education programmes are ranked #1 in the world by the Financial Times for the second consecutive year, and its Custom Executive Education programmes are ranked #2 globally. The School has a proud history supporting the development of Emirati women.
It marks the culmination of DIFC’s celebration of Emirati Women’s Month, which took place from 28 August to 28 September under the theme ‘Together We Rise Stronger and Better’. The programme reflects DIFC’s broader commitment to empowering women through access to education, professional development, leadership opportunities and a strong community of peers and mentors.
The DIFC Academy has established itself as a leading executive learning environment, bringing together world-class universities, business schools and professional education providers to support the development of human capital in Dubai and across the region. Today, the Academy works with a growing network of leading academic and professional partners, offering programmes spanning finance, management, law, sustainability, future skills and other areas critical to the evolving economy.
LBS is a longstanding member of the DIFC education ecosystem. It established its first campus outside London in Dubai in 2007- a key milestone in its global expansion and a demonstration of its long-term commitment to the Middle East. The School’s Dubai campus, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027, is located within DIFC Academy, reinforcing the long-established relationship between the two institutions and their shared commitment to developing the region’s business leaders.
Alya Alzarouni, Chief Operating Officer of DIFC Authority, said: “Empowering Emirati women to play an even greater role in the UAE’s economy is central to our vision for a diverse and future-ready financial centre. As we celebrate Emirati Women’s Month under the theme ‘Together We Rise Stronger and Better’, our partnership with London Business School provides 10 Emirati women with access to world-class executive education to strengthen their capabilities and accelerate their careers. This complements DIFC’s wider support for women’s professional development, including the DIFC Innovation Hub’s Women in Business Week, creating opportunities for women across our community to connect, learn and lead.”
Sergei Guriev, Dean, London Business School, said: “We are delighted to contribute to DIFC’s Emirati Women’s Month celebrations and its ambition to create an inclusive ecosystem where talent can thrive.
“London Business School is proud to partner with DIFC and the DIFC Academy to further support the development of Emirati women and the UAE’s future business leaders. Through these 10 scholarships, we look forward to welcoming a greater number of talented Emirati women into the LBS learning community and providing them with the business education and the global network to take the next step in their careers.”
As part of the wider programme, DIFC Innovation Hub is also leading Women in Business Week, bringing together women across the DIFC Community for a series of events and conversations. The programme includes sessions exploring women’s roles in technology, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, personal branding and the future of business. Events include Women Behind the Code, BuildHers of Tomorrow, Women Powering Finance and Women Building Influence. Through these initiatives, DIFC continues to strengthen its position as a platform for talent development and inclusion, supporting women to build skills, expand their networks and contribute to the continued growth and competitiveness of Dubai and the UAE.
Eligible Emirati women interested in applying for the executive education scholarships are invited to register at: Empowering Emirati Women Through World-Class Executive Education | DIFC Academy
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About Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the world’s most advanced financial centre, shaping the global financial landscape and cementing Dubai’s reputation as a leading business destination across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA).
As the region’s only financial centre operating at scale across all sectors, DIFC is home to 10,018 active firms. These include 1,134 regulated firms, among them are 370 banks and capital markets firms, 71 brokerage entities, 165 insurance and (re)insurance companies and 592 Wealth and Asset Management firms (including over 100 hedge fund managers). Home to 1,933 AI, FinTech and innovation firms, DIFC sets the benchmark for financial innovation and is a top five ranked FinTech hub across the world.
Underpinned by a trusted, world-class legal and regulatory framework, including the region’s most utilised commercial courts, DIFC ensures efficient governance and reinforces Dubai’s leadership in the digital economy. Connecting 50,200 professionals, it offers the region’s deepest pool of financial talent, serving as the gateway to MEASA for all financial players.
Beyond business, DIFC provides the complete urban experience with world-class lifestyle amenities, establishing it as a highly sought-after destination. The 17.7mn sq. ft. DIFC Zabeel District expansion which provides capacity for over 42,000 companies and a workforce of more than 125,000, DIFC is solidifying Dubai’s position as a top four global financial centre. The new District will also include premium Grade A commercial office space, over 1mn sq. ft. allocated to future technologies including the world’s largest Innovation Hub and world’s first purpose-built AI Campus, an expanded academy, residential buildings, hotels, a conference centre, and a range of retail, dining, and cultural offerings, including the Museum of Digital Art, the region’s first museum dedicated to digital art and new technologies.
Anchored in integrity, DIFC is the platform for success, driving the future of finance.
For further information, please visit our website: difc.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X @DIFC.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Burson | [email protected]
Rasha Mezher | Dubai International Financial Centre Authority
Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications
+9714 3622451
About DIFC Academy
DIFC Academy is a leading executive learning environment within Dubai International Financial Centre, connecting professionals and organisations with world-class academic and professional education providers. Its programmes span executive education, higher education and professional development across areas including finance, management, law, sustainability and future skills.
About London Business School
London Business School’s purpose is to have a profound impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world. The School is consistently ranked among the world’s top business schools and is widely acknowledged as a centre for outstanding research and thought leadership.
In addition to its highly ranked degree programmes, the School offers award-winning Executive Education for business leaders from around the world, frequently placing at the top of global rankings for open and custom executive learning.
Alongside its main campus in London, London Business School has a long-standing campus in Dubai and, in late 2025, officially opened an Executive Education office in Riyadh’s historic Diriyah district, marking a deepened commitment to developing leadership and human capability in the Kingdom. This new presence reflects LBS’s expanding footprint in the Middle East and its partnerships with leading organisations across the region.
The School equips its diverse student body with the tools needed to tackle today’s business challenges and connects them with many of the world’s leading thinkers. Its global community includes more than 58,000 alumni working in over 160 countries, united by a wealth of knowledge, experience and worldwide networking opportunities.
London Business School’s 168 faculty members come from more than 30 countries and cover seven core subject areas, including accounting, economics, finance, management science and operations, marketing, organisational behaviour, and strategy and entrepreneurship.
For more information visit www.london.edu