Dubai attracts 14,600 applications for 23 places on global talent programme

-  Dubai Business Associates welcomes young professionals from 15 countries as international talent continues to choose Dubai

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubai Business Associates (DBA) has welcomed 23 emerging professionals from 15 countries to its 12^th cohort, selected from 14,600 applications worldwide, reflecting Dubai's growing international appeal as a destination for talent, business and leadership development.

Dubai Business Associates is a fully funded, nine-month programme combining world-class training in strategy, business and leadership with placements, real-world consulting projects and cultural immersion in Dubai. Associates gain direct exposure to leading organisations and senior leaders across the city's public and private sectors, building the skills, networks and international experience to accelerate their careers.

The programme connects ambitious individuals from around the world with the organisations and leaders contributing to Dubai's development as a global business hub. Representing Canada, China, Colombia, France, Morocco, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, the cohort reflects the programme's international reach.

Associates have studied at globally recognised institutions including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, INSEAD, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Columbia, Princeton, Cornell and UCLA. Their backgrounds span engineering, cognitive neuroscience, public policy, international relations, finance, computer science and sustainability. Together, they form a deliberately multidisciplinary group.

Simon Corkill, CEO of Falcon and Associates, said: "Dubai continues to attract ambitious people who want to be part of its growth and contribute to its future. The calibre and international diversity of this cohort reflect that appeal, while DBA gives them a unique opportunity to experience the city from within."

Associates engage directly with Dubai's business and government ecosystem, including organisations such as Emirates Airline, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Digital Dubai Authority, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Future District Fund, Dubai Culture, Emirates NBD, Expo City Dubai, Oraseya Capital and Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

Rami Tawfiq, Director of Dubai Business Associates, said: "Dubai Business Associates brings together talented people whose different perspectives reflect the international character of Dubai itself. By working on placements and consulting projects with organisations shaping the city's economy, the programme develops globally minded leaders while building enduring connections between Dubai and markets around the world."

DBA has developed a global community of 350 alumni through its first 11 cohorts, creating an international network whose connection with Dubai extends well beyond the programme.

To learn more about the programme, please visit the Dubai Business Associates website page or watch the programme overview video here.