Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), through its Sharjah Training and Development Centre (STDC), has successfully wrapped up the Strategic Leadership Programme – Oxford and Cambridge, held in the United Kingdom in partnership with Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative highlights the Sharjah Chamber’s dedication to enhancing national competencies and preparing future leaders with top-tier practices in leadership, innovation, and sustainability.
The programme brought together a select group of promising executives for an intensive five-day experience featuring interactive workshops and curated field visits. This educational endeavour aimed to enhance participants’ skills and leadership capabilities, enabling them to navigate rapidly changing global markets and anticipate economic and technological shifts.
Maryam Saif Al Shamsi, Assistant Director General of the Support Services Sector at SCCI, stated that hosting the Strategic Leadership Programme at two of the world’s most prestigious universities is a strategic milestone. It reflects the Sharjah Chamber’s vision to invest in human capital and prepare globally competent leaders. She emphasized that the programme’s structured modules were designed to equip participants with advanced leadership tools to drive institutional transformation and respond effectively to major shifts in the global economy, reinforcing Sharjah’s status as a leading hub for business and innovation.
Amal Abdullah Al Ali, Director of STDC, remarked that the programme offered a comprehensive educational experience combining academic study with exclusive field visits to leading industrial institutions, such as the BMW MINI Plant, and distinguished colleges of the University of Oxford like New College. This blend of theoretical knowledge and real-world experience aimed to expand participants’ perspectives and deepen their understanding of the synergy between industrial innovation, academic excellence, and cultural legacy.
The programme began at the University of Oxford with interactive workshops that enhanced participants’ understanding of leadership characteristics and modern frameworks within global markets. Discussions emphasized the importance of strategic leadership in boosting organizational competitiveness. The workshops explored the technological landscape of 2025, the role of AI startups in future work environments, and the critical importance of cybersecurity in protecting businesses within interconnected digital ecosystems. Sessions also addressed emerging trends in AI technologies and their strategic implications, concluding with discussions on environmental challenges.
Attendees appreciated the enriching learning journey, which empowered them to link global trends with local strategies, particularly in areas related to artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and their contributions to the UAE’s digital transformation.