Dubai Launches Entrepreneurship Academy

Dubai officially launched its first entrepreneurship academy this week in order to support the emirate’s growing small medium enterprises (SMEs).

The academy, which is an initiative from Dubai SME – an agency mandated to develop the emirate’s SME sector – aims to equip the local entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge they need to become future businesspeople.

Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy is an addition to the Dubai SME services portfolio, which comprises varied programmes to identify, nurture, qualify and promote entrepreneurial talent and SME potential in the emirate.

The institution’s official launch was also combined with the graduation of its first batch of students who completed diploma programmes in entrepreneurship and hospitality management.

“The Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy is a novel initiative, which will lead to a stronger support system for SME owners and future entrepreneurs and ensure that they have the necessary skills and experience to succeed,” said Abdul Baset Al Janahi, chief executive officer of Dubai SME.

“The programmes offered by this academy will go a long way in turning entrepreneurial ideas into business plans and lead to more enterprises being launched in the UAE.”

Dubai SME’s entrepreneurship diploma programme is a practice-oriented course, which enables students to develop their business ideas through successive stages. The programme also trains students to evaluate the market potential of their business ideas and develop sound financial strategies.

The hospitality and restaurant management programme aims to provide entrepreneurs with an understanding of the service industry, Dubai SME said.

“We have a busier calendar for the year ahead and we will continue to add sector-specific and industry-relevant programmes, including training, online resources and e-learning programmes,” said Al Janahi.

“A significant feature of the 2014 calendar will be a Certificate programme in Professional Retail Business Management. The Academy also expects the number of enrolments to go up by 50 per cent in 2014.”

In the UAE, SMEs account for about 90 per cent of employment and more than 60 per cent of the country’s GDP.