MBA and Master's students take career trek to Dubai

Warwick Business School underscored its reputation as a hub for global employability this summer with a standout initiative called Project Tamkeen, a flagship programme aimed at helping MBA and Master’s students make meaningful industry connections in the Gulf region.

At the heart of the Tamkeen initiative – named after the Arabic word for empowerment – was a live case study challenge organised by Emirates Group in collaboration with Warwick Business School’s CareersPlus and Employer Relations Team.

The students were tasked with reimagining how employees interact with the company’s procurement system—not by redesigning it, but by enhancing its accessibility, usability, and intuitiveness. The challenge encouraged innovative thinking, drawing on global best practices, academic research and AI capabilities.

The winning team were Geraldine Pazos Raymundo and Alejandra Ocampo Mendoza (both MSc Marketing and Strategy students), and Pamela Chamorro Poma (MSc Business Analytics).

The team were among the top five teams – totalling 20 students – who were then invited to Dubai to present their solutions to Emirates executives and take part in the Dubai Career Trek.

Alejandra Ocampo Mendoza said: “Project Tamkeen was a fantastic opportunity not only to apply our learning to a real-world challenge, but also to present our proposal directly to decision-makers. It was both a formative and inspiring experience, and a strong reminder of the global reach and practical relevance of our studies at WBS.”

Networking with employers

Organised by the school’s CareersPlus and Employer Relations team, the Dubai Career Trek offered MBA and Master’s students with over five years’ work experience the opportunity to engage directly with senior leaders at Emirates Group and Dubai Holding, two of the UAE’s most influential employers, and meet with regional recruiters working across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

The trip wrapped up with a networking evening, bringing together alumni, employers and students to continue their conversations.

Olivier Harvey, a Global Online MBA participant, described the experience as transformative: “It was the human connections that made this experience most meaningful. From teammates to alumni and industry leaders, it was a reminder that leadership journeys are enriched by the people we meet.”

For Alejandro Ocampo Mendoza, the Dubai Careers Trek was “an incredible experience”.

“I had the opportunity to discover a new part of the world and gain fresh perspectives on how top companies like Dubai Holding and Emirates stay ahead,” she said.  

“We engaged in meaningful conversations and gained valuable insights, particularly on how human capital, when combined with the right mindset, is key to sustaining leadership and driving future growth.

“By the end of the trek, I felt genuinely fulfilled, deeply motivated, and excited to have connected with such inspiring people, and to have a broader horizon as I explore new opportunities for my future career.”

Building connections for career progression was an important factor, according to Kate Friend, Director of WBS CareersPlus and Employer Relations. 

“Taking a group of our Master’s and MBA students to Dubai for a case competition and networking with key employers was a unique opportunity,” she said.

“This immersive, real-world learning experience was transformational for our changemaker community. Not only does it encourage students to sharpen critical skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and strategic thinking, but it also expands their understanding of competitive global markets. It’s brilliant to see our students engaging directly with industry leaders, gaining insights, and building connections that will shape their future careers.”

Discover more about Warwick Business School’s MBA and Master's Courses.