Randa Bessiso, founding director of the University of Manchester Middle East Centre in Dubai, UAE has been named amongst the Forbes Middle East 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen for 2017.

Bessiso was previously recognised by Forbes in the 2014-15-16 lists.

Originally established in 2006 to support Alliance Manchester Business School, the Middle East Centre has now grown to represent the entire University and its academic programmes and activities in the region. It is now the largest and fastest growing of the University’s international Centres.

The inclusion in the Forbes Middle East 2017list is in recognition of Bessiso’s contribution to business education and higher education in the region; she is also chair of the UAE-UK Business Council’s Higher Education Group.

Professor Fiona Devine, dean of Alliance Manchester Business School said: “Congratulations to Randa; we are delighted that Forbes continues to recognise her outstanding commitment to corporate education in the region. This is testament to her insight and understanding of a fast-growing and complex market. We look forward to continuing to innovate and develop our portfolio in region, as the Centre grows from strength-to-strength as part of The University of Manchester.”

Over the last 10 years, the Middle East Centre in Dubai has supported more than 2,200part-time Global MBA students across the Middle East and a regional alumni community of over 2,500 graduates.

More than 1,000 MBA students from the region have graduated since 2006, many of them at the Middle East MBA Graduation Ceremony hosted in Dubai - the only graduation ceremony held by the University outside the UK.

Randa Bessiso, a Lebanese national of Palestinian origin, has overseen the development of the Middle East Centre and new products, services and initiatives including the Manchester Innovation Award for Emiratis.

Most recently, Alliance Manchester Business School launched an original research programme into Creativity and Innovation in the GCC, a series of new industry-led specialist Masters degrees, and a range of shorter executive education programmes.

“My congratulations to Forbes Middle East for the excellent work in highlighting the achievements of talented and successful Arab businesswomen, and in helping to create inspirational role models for all Arab women,” said Bessiso.

“The expansion of The University of Manchester’s presence and commitment to the region is a result of the success of the Middle East Centre in Dubai. We enjoy the support of many people and organisations, from students and alumni to corporate partners in a range of amazing collaborations, the British community and of course our hosts in Dubai. Our expansion will help us create even more higher education opportunities across the region, which is an exciting prospect just 10 years after launching the centre.” – TradeArabia News Service