Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The University of Manchester Middle East Centre and International School Partnership (iSP) Middle East have announced a Strategic Talent Partnership. The partnership will help iSP provide further career and management development opportunities for colleagues in their schools by providing access to the University’s part-time master’s programmes and executive education short business courses. The partnership will also provide students from the University of Manchester with job and networking opportunities within the seven iSP schools in the UAE. As a Strategic Talent Partner of the University, members of iSP will also enjoy access to networking and faculty-led professional events organised by the University for its students and alumni across the region.

The Regional Learning Director for iSP Middle East, Rory Galvin, looks forward to the development of talent that this partnership will bring to both organisations: “We are excited to see how this partnership will nurture a community of lifelong learners and provide unique opportunities for professional growth. By connecting our talented leaders and educators with the expertise and networks of The University of Manchester Middle East Centre, we can further strengthen our ability to develop local talent and offer enriching career pathways within our schools.

“We are also looking forward to welcoming some great teachers and local talent from the University into our network as educators that will support our mission to grow the world’s most curious and confident minds. This collaboration will undoubtedly have a positive impact on both our staff and students, as we continue to build on our commitment to excellence in education and leadership development.”

iSP is a global group of over 86 international schools across 23 countries (including nine in the Middle East) and 10,000 staff. iSP schools champion a transformative approach to learning that goes beyond the classroom. By igniting every student’s curiosity and growing their self-confidence, they are empowering students to become the next generation of changemakers. iSP’s global network of experts, teachers and leaders is supported to continuously improve through extensive professional development programmes.  

The University’s part-time MA Educational Leadership in Practice is a multi-award winning, two-year programme suitable for qualified and experienced working educators, from class teachers to nursery, school and college managers, leaders and principals. It combines flexible learning with digital delivery and influences teaching and learning approaches at all levels.

Randa Bessiso, Director - Middle East at The University of Manchester, said: “We share iSP’s belief in the transformational impact of education and learning, as well as the company’s commitment to making a difference to young people’s lives through world class schools and educators, including those based here in our region. So, we are very excited to sign this new agreement with iSP, which will open access to our portfolio of part-time master’s programmes (including the part-time MA Educational Leadership in Practice) and the executive education short business courses delivered on campus. This collaboration will also help enrich the study and potential career opportunities for thousands of our students and alumni in the region, while supporting the leadership development goals of the iSP management team.” 

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre offers a dynamic portfolio of specialist part-time business master’s programmes including three MBA options, as well as the MA Educational Leadership in Practice, and MSc Financial Management. Alongside these, the Centre has recently introduced a new range of executive education short business courses (including Leading Digital Transformation; Managing Complex Business Challenges; Leading ESG and Sustainability; Finance for Non-Financial Leaders; Psychology of Leading People; Leading and Implementing Innovation; Data and AI for Leaders; Leading Major Projects).

Since opening in the UAE in 2006, the University’s Middle East Centre in Dubai has developed a strong group of strategic talent and corporate partners across the region, including professional bodies and business groups, multinational and regional companies, and professional services organisations. The Centre also works in close collaboration with a range of regional social responsibility partners as part of its commitment to fulfilling one of the University’s principal missions in achieving positive social impact.

About The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and is one of the UK’s largest single-site universities with more than 44,000 students on campus – including more than 10,000 international students. The University is consistently ranked among the world’s elite institutions for graduate employability and world-class research across a diverse range of fields including cancer, advanced materials, global inequalities, energy and industrial biotechnology. 26 Nobel laureates have either worked or studied at the University, which is the only UK University to have social responsibility among its core strategic objectives, dedicated to making a positive difference in communities around the world.

About The University of Manchester Middle East Centre

The University of Manchester’s Middle East Centre at Dubai Knowledge Park opened in 2006 and is the largest and fastest growing in the University’s international network comprising five hubs in key business cities around the world. The Centre has supported 3,400 Manchester Global Part-time master’s students in the region and graduated around 2,300 MBA students. The Centre also works in regional collaborations with a range of industry groups, professional bodies and companies, and supports a regional alumni base of over 5,500.

www.manchester.ac.ae

Issued on behalf of The University of Manchester Middle East Centre by WPR.

Media contact:
Jonathan Walsh, WPR Dubai
jon@wprme.net

About International Schools Partnership: 

Moved by curiosity and empowered by self-confidence, students from ISP Schools thrive throughout their lifetime. 

International Schools Partnership (ISP) is a global community of 86 international schools across 23 countries. We champion a transformative approach to learning that goes beyond the classroom. By igniting our students' curiosity and growing their self-confidence, we empower them to become the next generation of changemakers. 

Our unique approach to learning recognises our students as collaborators in the learning process. We focus on developing the knowledge and lifelong skills that help them thrive beyond their time at school.  ISP students benefit from teaching excellence, international opportunities, and careers guidance. Our schools have access to a global network of experts and our teachers and leaders are supported to continuously improve through extensive professional development programmes.  

ISP. Where confidence grows.