McKinsey to launch leadership development programme for young Emiratis

Qiyada Emerging Leaders one-year programme to start in January 2020

McKInsey launches its Qiyada Emerging Leaders program in Abu Dhabi to develop young Emirati leaders. Reuters

McKinsey and Company is launching a new leadership development programme aimed at unlocking the potential of top Emirati professionals in Abu Dhabi as the UAE seeks to foster more local talent.

The one-year Qiyada Emerging Leaders programme is set to start in January 2020, the global consulting firm said in a statement on Wednesday. Application dates are now open and will close on November 30.

"Abu Dhabi is going through an ambitious transformation, one that requires the support of young, driven leaders. To foster this important effort, we are excited to launch the Qiyada Emerging Leaders programme for young Emirati professionals," Rima Assi, senior partner and head of McKinsey’s Abu Dhabi office, said. "Through a year-long development journey of self-discovery, we hope to unlock both the personal and professional potential that will better equip participants to not only contribute to this transformation, but also help drive it," Ms Assi added.

Abu Dhabi has put into motion a stimulus plan for the economy, dubbed Ghadan 21, which is a Dh50 billion package of reforms featuring 50 initiatives across four key areas. These are: business and investment, society, knowledge and investment, and lifestyle.

The Qiyada programme, which refers to the Arabic word for leadership, will identify and develop Emirati talent that can deliver on the UAE capital’s ambitions, McKinsey said.

Fostering local talent is a top priority for the UAE as it seeks to create valuable jobs for young nationals and attract them to join the private sector.

The efforts are part of the UAE's plan to diversify the economy away from oil and develop local industries.

The consultancy will select 20 young professional Emiratis that are currently leading strategic projects across the public and private sectors in Abu Dhabi. Selected candidates must hold managerial positions, demonstrate a track record of achievement in their organisations, seek self-improvement and be eager to lead, it said.

"It brings together everything we know about leadership development, lays the foundations for the introspective work of self-discovery, self-definition and self-shaping, Maitham Albaharna, associate partner at McKinsey Middle East, said. "These elements of personal growth are key to enabling original leadership and are often decisive in times of transformation."