Since inception, the AUC School of Business Executive Education (ExecEd) has been at the forefront of business innovation and leadership, evolving to meet the changing needs of the global marketplace.

The journey of ExecEd kicked off in 1966 and has since flourished under various names and umbrellas. The focus was initially set on becoming the professional development backbone of various sectors in Egypt. It wasn’t until 1977 that we established a more structured approach to executive education at our vibrant Tahrir Campus, launching targeted programs in leadership, organizational development, management, marketing, and finance, among others.

For decades, our ties with local industries have only deepened, equipping businesses with the tools they need to excel. We continue adapting to market needs, building on our open-enrollment and customized program offerings, and refining our curriculum. Our portfolio now spans everything from concise short programs to extensive multi-month diplomas, all led by seasoned industry and faculty members.

In 2012, ExecEd’s open-enrollment programs hit a major milestone by debuting on the Financial Times Executive Education Ranking, making them the sole business school in the Arab region and one of just three in Africa to achieve this distinction.

Over the past two decades, we’ve shifted towards enhanced specialization and quality. Annual learners filtered down from 14k to 4k, totalling 250k participants overall. The intentional decrease falls in line with our goal of offering specialized programs that meet market demand. We’ve streamlined our offerings from an expansive 300 to a focused 25 programs. ExecEd also exposes learners to a network of professionals with 20-30 years of experience across various industries and functions, offering a wealth of knowledge.

Over the years, our focus has become more demand-driven, developing programs based on market gaps. Our annual Corporate Learning and Development Report has played a key role in identifying company needs and bridging gaps between offerings and demand.

This brought in programs that are timely, relevant, and rooted in our region’s needs, fostering industry-focused conversations, and blending local nuances with expertise from global and local partners. Our expanded portfolio now includes contemporary programs in sports management, trade, real estate, and healthcare.

Our focus is not just on Egypt — we are active in the MENA and GCC regions, as well as Africa. In KSA and Oman, we run healthcare and real estate programs with partners like the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. In the UAE, we provide management and leadership programs. We’re also teaming up with universities in Brazil and Italy to introduce joint programs in the MEA region.

Advancing the growth of hospitality management and tourism is on our agenda. We also aim to address gaps in professional development for these areas and are eyeing the climate and sustainability sectors. We’re also working to boost our footprint in the realm of digital transformation, adapting to evolving trends such as AI, blockchain, and data analytics.

AUC School of Business ExecEd stands as a testament to continuous adaptation. We prioritize quality over quantity, offering specialized programs informed by real-world insights, vital for upskilling and reskilling leaders to thrive in today’s evolving landscape.

Sherif Kamel is professor and dean of AUC School of Business.

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