Ajman University, in a strategic move to enhance leadership capabilities across the region, has officially launched its new Executive Education platform. The launch followed a high-level, closed-door symposium held in partnership with Al Tamimi & Company, which gathered over 200 CEOs, board members, and senior decision-makers from key sectors including banking, investment, and government-linked institutions.
A Symposium for a Forward Economy
Held under the theme “Forward Expertise for a Forward Economy,” the symposium addressed the critical need for executive capabilities to evolve amid rapid economic transformation and uncertainty. The event aligns with the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” vision, which emphasizes leadership readiness as a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth.
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, delivered a key address, emphasizing the new demands on leaders in the UAE’s future economy. H.E. highlighted that national competitiveness now hinges on leaders who can make decisive, informed decisions and translate long-term ambitions into effective execution at the institutional level.
Redefining Executive Learning
The new platform is designed to provide senior leaders with rigorous, practice-driven learning experiences that tackle real-world organizational challenges with global insights. It aims to support CEOs, board members, and C-suite executives through targeted coaching, peer engagement, and bespoke programs.
Dr. Dipak C. Jain, former Dean of INSEAD and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, delivered the keynote speech. He noted that executive education has shifted from episodic credentialing to a model of continuous adaptation and lifelong learning, with a growing focus on helping leaders navigate unfamiliar and rapidly changing environments.
Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, elaborated on this vision. “At the highest levels of leadership, learning cannot be episodic. It must be continuous, disciplined, and directly connected to the decisions leaders make every day. Executive education today is about sharpening judgment, strengthening adaptability, and learning how to think when certainty is limited.”
Leadership in an Era of Uncertainty
A fireside discussion featuring Mr. Essam Al Tamimi, Chairman of Al Tamimi & Company, and Mr. Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum, explored the practical shifts in leadership expectations, particularly concerning judgment and decision-making under pressure.
Mr. Al Tamimi stated, “In today’s environment, effective leadership is defined less by authority or tenure and more by the discipline of thought behind every decision. The real value lies in strengthening judgment, so that decisions are deliberate, resilient, and aligned with long-term institutional purpose.”
Mr. Jafar added, “In volatile operating environments, leadership is rarely tested by what leaders know. It is tested by how they think when conditions change and clarity is incomplete. Today, adaptability, disciplined judgment, and the ability to recalibrate without losing strategic direction matter more than static capability.”
About Ajman University
Established in 1988 as the first private university in the GCC, Ajman University (AU) is a non-profit institution committed to delivering world-class education. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, AU ranks #440 globally and #6 in the UAE. The university earned full accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2024, becoming the first private, non-profit university in the UAE and the Arab world to achieve this distinction.
Source: Zawya
