The University of Manchester Middle East Centre and The Chartered Institute of Marketing agree to collaborate on professional development and networking across regional communities

Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Sallam Sallam

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre in Dubai and The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) have signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for a Strategic Talent Partnership to support professional Training & Development and networking across both professional communities in the region.

Under the new agreement, the University and CIM will promote academic exchange and qualifications, higher and professional education, research, practice development and professional networking in the Middle East region. Both organisations will host networking events for University students and alumni, and CIM members, affiliates and students in the Middle East region. The agreement provides for mutual access to professional development courses and the University’s part-time master’s programmes for CIM Level 7 graduates, with preferred rates for CIM Certified Members.

The Middle East Centre is the largest and fastest growing in the University’s international network, with a current student base of over 2,200 residing and working in the Middle East. Established over 100 years ago, CIM is the world’s leading professional body for marketing. CIM’s mission is to create a marketing advantage for the benefit of professionals, business and society with a focus on export, data and skills. CIM believes marketing is the critical factor in driving long term organisational performance.

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre attracts large numbers of working professionals to its portfolio of flexible, blended learning part-time master’s programmes including the University’s flagship Global Part-time MBA (GMBA) programme – named the Best MBA Programme in the region by Forbes Middle East in 2019. Since 2006, the centre has supported over 2,800 GMBA students and graduated 1,700 from the region.

The University’s Strategic Talent Partnership programme provides a framework for active collaboration with professional and industry bodies as well as enterprises and other organisations. The Middle East Centre already works in collaboration with a range of regional and international professional and industry bodies.

Commenting on the new agreement, RandaBessiso – Middle East Director for The University of Manchester – said: “We are delighted to sign this MoU with The Chartered Institute of Marketing – the world’s leading representative organisation for marketing professionals. We share a lot in common and have welcomed many CIM members – who make excellent candidates – to our part-time master’s programmes. Our aim is to support working professionals in building sustainable careers and there is no doubt that an understanding of the principles and best practice in marketing is extremely valuable for our part-time MBA students. CIM will help reinforce this knowledge for our students – all working professionals – alongside a strong professional network.”

Raj Achan, CIM Ambassador for the UAE, added: “The CIM has a growing presence in the UAE where we are actively engaging with universities and businesses with the aim of supporting and developing marketers at every stage of their careers. The agreement with The University of Manchester will help us achieve this and extend the reach of our professional network into the University’s strong regional community of students and alumni.”

The Middle East Centre has developed into the largest and fastest-growing centre in the University’s international network of six global centres. The University of Manchester was named as the world’s 27th best university in the QS World University Rankings, sixth in the UK, and eighth in Europe. The University was named the most targeted institution by the UK’s top 100 graduate employers for the third year in a row byThe Graduate Market in 2020. Manchester was also named the University of the Year for Graduate Employment by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing has 120 study centres in 32 countries and exam centres in 132 countries worldwide. These provide a professional framework for marketing at national level and through training and qualifications, help to increase skills and knowledge of those working in, or wanting to work in marketing. They also provide opportunities for members to meet locally, organise events, exchange views and exchange information with fellow professionals at all stages of their careers.