Dubai SME launches innovative diploma programme to empower potential entrepreneurs

Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, has launched an innovative diploma programme to equip potential entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on launching their own businesses and managing it successfully.

The Dubai Entrepreneurship Diploma, launched in association with Dubai Consulting, Training & Research Center - DuExcel, a Dubai-based consultancy specialised in providing customised research and training to diverse industry sectors, aims to provide critical knowledge on all components of entrepreneurship, from conceiving a feasible project to its successful execution, marketing and management.

Designed with the objective of ‘Changing mindsets to do business,’ the two-month diploma programme emphasises on exposing candidates to the real world of business and encouraging them to adopt a hands-on approach to every aspect of doing business.

The course faculty will comprise leading industry practitioners and successful entrepreneurs, thus ensuring a peer-to-peer learning and sharing of experience as well as meaningful brainstorming between instructors and students.

Participants in the programme will learn to create well-defined business plans, translate them into actual projects and lead them to success through strategic management, marketing, and accounting. Towards the end of the programme each candidate will also develop his/her own business plan, which will be assessed and graded by the instructors.

“Launching a SME business could be difficult without practical knowledge of the demands and drivers of business operations. A sound business plan that objectively evaluates ground realities and defines unique selling propositions is essential for SMEs to use their flexibility as a key advantage against their larger size competitors,” said Abdul Baset al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai SME.

Al Janahi added: “The ‘Dubai Entrepreneurship Diploma’ is part of our efforts to integrate the knowledge component strongly into the SME environment in Dubai. It will help channel entrepreneurship potential in the right direction and define a clear growth path for SME businesses.”

The first batch of the diploma programme will commence on the 16^th of April 2012. Each batch will have an intake capacity of 25 and there will be three sessions every week. The course fee has been subsidised to allow maximum participation. The course content and lectures will be in Arabic.

Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of DuExcel, stated that the diploma will have a tremendous impact on the local SME sector as it will empower young entrepreneurs to launch their own enterprises and also build relations with potential customers, vendors, employees, banks and professionals such as lawyers, accountants and consultants.

“DuExcel has meticulously drawn instructors for this diploma from consultants and successful enterprises to guarantee the smooth transition of ideas into projects and enable aspiring entrepreneurs to avoid mistakes and future obstacles,” said Al Mansoori.

Candidates enrolling for the diploma will have their entrepreneurship potential and business ideas duly assessed. Towards the end of the programme, candidates will be able to evaluate their entrepreneurship potential, ideas and opportunities themselves as well as develop and implement business plans with a clear understanding of the future financial, marketing, human resources and equipment requirements.

Follow-up counseling and advice will also be extended to candidates through interactive portals involving trainers and guest lecturers - both during and after the programme - to optimise the benefits of the diploma.