Abu Dhabi, UAE, 16 July 2026 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - The Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has partnered with Gracia Group to launch the Executive Leadership Program for Emirati Talent. This program is supported by the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) to develop the next generation of Emirati leaders. This initiative is positioned within a national framework that strengthens strategic partnerships between academic institutions and specialised training centers, while supporting the competitiveness of national talent. This high-impact program is designed to prepare experienced Emirati professionals for senior leadership and executive roles across various sectors.

The program was officially launched at ADSM in the presence of government representatives, strategic partners, academic leaders, and industry experts. The ceremony included opening remarks by Dr. Marc Poulin, President of ADSM, along with a keynote address by Professor Marc Audi, Provost of ADSM. Representatives from key partner organisations also participated, including the UAE Competitiveness Council, Gracia Centre for Technical and Vocational Training, and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI),  UK.

In his remarks, Dr. Marc Poulin, emphasised ADSM's established foundation as an internationally accredited institution affiliated with the (ADCCI), committed to innovation, entrepreneurship, and academic excellence. He highlighted ASDM's vision of preparing qualified future leaders through scientific research, sustainability, and collaboration with the business sector. He also underscored ADSM's global partnerships, its applied educational approach, and its commitment to equipping graduates to excel in a dynamic business environment.

Professor Marc Audi, highlighted the University's remarkable transformation into a comprehensive business education ecosystem, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, executive, and doctoral programmes aligned with the UAE's national priorities and future economy. He emphasised ADSM's commitment to academic excellence, international quality standards, innovation, digital transformation, and applied research, while showcasing its expanding academic portfolio, prestigious global accreditations, and strategic partnership with the CMI, which provides internationally recognised professional pathways that strengthen leadership capabilities and enhance global employability. He concluded by reaffirming ADSM's people-centered mission, stating, 'At ADSM, we believe that true development begins with people. This programme reflects our commitment to preparing Emirati leaders who can create value for their organisations and contribute to the future development of the UAE.'

Strategic Partnership

“Our focus is on ensuring participants can immediately apply what they learn in the workplace,” said Farah Chakhachero, Vice President of Gracia Group, representing the Gracia Technical and Professional Training Center. “Through executive coaching, AI-integrated projects, and real organisational challenges, the program is designed to develop practical leadership capabilities that deliver measurable impact for both participants and their employers.”

Mr. Matt Brian, Head of MENA at CMI, emphasised the strategic partnership between CMI and ADSM, describing how it equips participants with globally recognised leadership and management qualifications. He underscored the value of joining CMI's international professional network, which provides access to extensive learning resources, mentoring opportunities, industry events, and a global community of leaders, enabling participants to strengthen their leadership capabilities, expand their professional networks, and enhance their career prospects.

Executive Leadership Program for Emirati Talent

The program brings together ETCC's national talent agenda, ADSM's academic expertise and quality assurance, Gracia’s role as the strategic and lead delivery partner, and the professional standards of the CMI, the United Kingdom's only chartered professional body for management and leadership.

At the launch event, Dr. Razan ElMasri, Head of General Education at ADSM, presented the two CMI Level 7 pathways in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice, benchmarked at postgraduate level: the Certificate, focusing on strategic leadership and organisational strategy, and the Diploma, which further develops expertise in strategic risk, data and information management, and marketing strategy through a capstone leadership project. She also highlighted the program’s blended executive learning model, combining face-to-face workshops, executive coaching, business case studies, simulations, workplace-based projects, and digital learning support.

The inaugural cohort is scheduled to begin at the end of August and will bring together approximately 40-50 Emirati professionals. The program has been designed to strengthen the UAE's leadership pipeline, enhance organisational performance, and nurture a new generation of leaders who will shape the nation's future and accelerate its journey toward global leadership and sustainable economic growth.