Cranfield School of Management is Europe’s first university to deliver executive development courses in Saudi Arabia in Arabic. Eight academics including two executive education specialists from Cranfield’s Center for Customised Executive Development, Doc McKerr and Imran Zawwar, traveled to Madinah to teach over 100 business leaders, almost half of whom were women, about the fundamentals of business leadership and transforming knowledge into action in the workplace.
Initiated by Namaa Al Munawara, a local non-profit think-tank, Cranfield’s Executive Leadership program attracted middle managers and senior leaders from small companies and public sector organizations.
Prince Faisal bin Salman, governor of Madinah, set up Namaa Al Munawara with the aim to transform Madinah into a hub of growing SMEs and to develop it as a “City of Knowledge” which has a positive impact, economically and commercially, both in the local area and across the country.
During the two-week program, delegates gained an in-depth insight into core business topics such as strategy, innovation, operational excellence, business finance, leadership and corporate use of social media, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to help drive their organization.
Samar Showail, a manager in the Saudi banking industry, said: “I have been on these types of courses before. However, this course is more sophisticated and really puts knowledge into practice. The whole experience has been unique; the networking, in particular, was valuable because we had the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and industries. This meant that we could share our challenges and ideas and learn from one another.”
The program was funded by the Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF), which is responsible for developing local business leaders to meet the country’s mission of evenly spreading the economy’s reliance across industries including education and commerce, rather than solely on oil, by 2030.
Ranked among the top 10 business schools worldwide for customised executive development, and first in the world for international reach, Cranfield’s Center for Customised Executive Development delivers open and customised programs to over 40 clients each year. Over 75 percent of these courses welcome participants from across the globe.
Cranfield delivers leadership courses in Saudi Arabia
Cranfield delivers leadership courses in Saudi Arabia
Australian minister Don Farrell launches LuLu festival
Regional retail chain Lulu Hypermarket officially launched the Australian Fest on Wednesday at its Diplomatic Quarter branch in Riyadh. The grand inauguration was led by Senator Don Farrell, minister for trade and tourism and special minister of state for Australia, as the chief guest. The event, which celebrated the rich culinary heritage and premium produce of Australia, was attended by a high-level delegation from the Australian government, alongside Mohammed Haris, director of LuLu Hypermarket Saudi Arabia, and senior LuLu officials.
The festivities commenced at the supermarket entrance, where Farrell performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony under a beautifully designed, Australian-themed ceremonial gate. This marked the formal opening of a week-long celebration dedicated to bringing the best of Australian flavors to the Saudi capital. Following the inauguration, the minister led a guided store walk-through, exploring premium product showcases and vibrant displays in the Meat Area. A dedicated thematic showcase of fresh fruits and vegetables from Australia was also highlighted, emphasizing the authenticity and freshness that the country’s agriculture is known for globally.
The tour reached a celebratory peak at the bakery section, where the chief guest was invited for a commemorative cake-cutting ceremony to mark the launch of the festival. During his official address, Farrell shared his insights on the significance of the event, stating that it is a pleasure to witness the Australian Fest in Riyadh. He said that the event is more than just a showcase of Australian products, but rather a testament to the growing partnership between Australia and Saudi Arabia, making these high-quality products easily accessible to shoppers in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Haris expressed his gratitude for the visit, noting that the team is deeply honored to welcome Farrell and the Australian government delegates. He said that the Australian Fest is a cornerstone of LuLu’s commitment to offering customers global diversity and the highest quality products. He further added that LuLu is proud to serve as the bridge connecting Saudi shoppers with the authentic excellence of Australian agriculture.
The Australian Fest is offering residents an exclusive opportunity to explore and purchase a wide variety of Australian-made products at special promotional prices.
