Press release
The University of Manchester and Aon partner to promote higher and professional education opportunities in the Middle East
20 February 2019 (Dubai – United Arab Emirates): The University of Manchester Middle East Centre in Dubai and Aon, a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to promote higher and professional education, research, practice development and professional networking in the region.
The university’s Strategic Talent Management Partnership will form the basis of a new collaboration with Aon, ensuring they are better positioned to share knowledge and best practice throughout their network of over 500 organisations in the region. The university is also the exclusive knowledge partner for Aon’s annual Best Employers Middle East study – the most comprehensive employer benchmarking programme of its kind in the region, recognising the leading employers who excel across a range of business-critical indices. Through this collaboration, accredited Aon Best Employer organisations will benefit from preferential rates and priority seats on the university’s Masters and executive education programmes throughout the year.
The University of Manchester Middle East Centre was established in Dubai in 2006 to provide dedicated regional support for the university’s Alliance Manchester Business School. The Middle East Centre now represents the entire university and all its schools, academic programmes and activities in the region. Today, the Centre is the largest and fastest growing of the university’s international network of six centres worldwide.
Christopher Page, CEO, Talent, Rewards & Performance, Aon Middle East and Africa, said: “We are delighted to announce our Strategic Talent Management Partnership with The University of Manchester. In a region where governments are embracing digital technology as a driver for socio-economic progress, it has never been more important to prioritise learning and development. This partnership between Aon and The University of Manchester will allow us to put in place a programme of knowledge sharing and collaboration, whilst providing our business partners with access to world-class educational programmes that will enable them to support their organisational goals and future-proof against impending skills shortages.”
Randa Bessiso, Director – Middle East, The University of Manchester, added: “The Middle East Centre is delighted to sign this new Strategic Talent Management Partnership with Aon as the basis for cooperation across the common interests we share in the region. Our work is dedicated to helping talented business people realise their potential through access to world- class learning opportunities throughout their careers. We believe Aon will help enrich the experience of students and alumni across our regional community through its unique HR consulting experience and expertise in people and performance.”
Since 2006, the university’s Middle East Centre in Dubai has supported more than 2,400 Global Part-time MBA students across the Middle East and a regional alumni community of over 2,500 graduates. More than 1,400 MBA students from the region have graduated since 2006.
The university has recently expanded its portfolio of programmes with the introduction of industry-led, part-time Masters programmes (MSc International Healthcare Leadership, MSc Reliability Engineering & Asset Maintenance) and a range of shorter executive education programmes, including the Manchester Management Development Programme.
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About Aon: Aon plc (NYSE: AON) is a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. Our 50,000 colleagues in 120 countries empower results for clients by using proprietary data and analytics to deliver insights that reduce volatility and improve performance.
For further information on our capabilities and to learn how we empower results for clients, please visit www.aonhewitt.ae
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About The University of Manchester Middle East Centre The University of Manchester Middle East Centre at Dubai Knowledge Park opened in 2006 and is the largest and fastest growing in the university’s international network comprising six hubs in key business cities around the world. The Centre has supported more than 2,400 Manchester Global Part-time MBA students in the region, and graduated more than 1,400 MBA students. The Middle East Centre has recently launched a new portfolio of executive education programmes and introduced a series of new, industry-led specialist Masters programmes; the first of these are the MSc Reliability Engineering and Asset Management, and MSc International Healthcare Leadership. The Centre works in regional collaborations with a range of industry groups, professional bodies and companies, and supports a regional alumni association with more than 2,500 members.
About The University of Manchester The University of Manchester is currently delivering a £1 billion 10-year masterplan for its campus to create world-class facilities for staff, students and visitors. This includes the redevelopment of the Alliance Manchester Business School, the £350m Manchester Engineering Campus Development and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC).
Completed projects so far include the award-winning National Graphene Institute and The Whitworth Art Gallery.
Issued on behalf of The University of Manchester Middle East Centre.
Media contact: Jonathan Walsh WPR Dubai [email protected]