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I ntroduction

The Arabian Gulf University

The Arabian Gulf University (AGU) is a preeminent regional insti-
tute of graduate and medical education founded by the member
states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 1980. The Univer-
sity offers innovative programs in several medical undergraduate
(MD) and graduate (MSc and PhD) programs in both the College
of Medicine and Medical Sciences, and in diverse studies includ-
ing the Environment, Natural Resources Management, Biotech-
nology and Special Education in the College of Graduate Studies.

A third school is the French Arabian Business School that cur-

rently offers an 18-month MBA program in cooperation with
the French ESSEC Business School in France. This university
is accredited by the National Commission for Academic Ac-
creditation and Assessment (NCAAA) of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia and is highly ranked as a regional University.

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T he French Arabian Business School

The genesis of the French Arabian Business School (FABS) was

established in 2007 with an agreement between the Arabian
Gulf University, The Paris Chamber of Commerce and the French
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The school was established to
“promote human resource skills and develop education, research
and expertise in the various areas of management, business
administration and finance, which are of particular relevance to
the Gulf region.” By combining world class standards and regional
specificities, the school’s strategy is to build its own expertise
in various fields of management and to achieve excellence in
education and best serve the needs of the GCC states. The link
with distinguished international universities such as ESSEC and
corporations such as AirBusiness Academy enables the FABS to
draw upon the experience and reputation of these institutions in
the development of innovative programs that are relevant to the
needs of the region.

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V ision of the MBA
The MBA has been designed to transform mid-career managers into
business oriented individuals, mixing academic excellence in the
management field and satisfaction of the specific needs of the GCC
region.

M ission of the MBA

To train managers able to meet the challenges of the private and
public sector in the GCC. The MBA capitalizes on the respective
strengths of the Arabian Gulf University on one side, and ESSEC
Business School  and AirBusiness Academy on the other side with
the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The unique
combination of expertise from these renowned institutions permits
MBA participants to evolve in a truly international environment
with Bahrain as the hub and Singapore and Paris serving as satellite
campuses.

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S pecific Objectives
The program offers a dynamic learning environment delivered by AGU,
ESSEC and AirBusiness Academy faculty which includes a balanced mix of
theory and practice through appropriately sequenced individual courses of
instruction. The first part of the program provides an in-depth examination
of the tools and functions of organizations. The emphasis is placed on the
inter-relationships among these areas and provides a strong foundation for
the deeper analysis in the second part of the program. The final part expands
participants’ ability to deal with complex management challenges relating
to public-private partnerships (PPP), the utility management sector, or the
aviation management sector.

Program Audience
The program caters to both holders of business/management bachelor
degrees and to working executives with other backgrounds. Applicants with
non-business / management backgrounds may have to enroll for Pre-MBA
courses offered by FABS.

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Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, successful students should be able to:

1- Challenge their perceptions about leadership, management  and

the values that shape it.
2- Accelerate their strategic thinking and reinforce the marketing,
financial and leadership skills needed for running organisations  in
today’s challenging globalized landscape.
3- Build a network of like-minded professionals who will share best
practices and learn from each other.
4- Refine how they see financial resources and targets and are able
to create more value through reviewing policies of performance
measurement and evaluation.
5- Manage organisational flexibility and transformation through
vision, commitment and motivation.
6- Understand the sources of dynamism in GCC development in the
PPP, utilities and aviation sectors.

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M BA Program Positioning

The MBA has been designed to transform mid-career managers

into business oriented individuals mixing academic excellence in
the management field which satisfies the specific needs of the GCC
area, particularly in the areas of Public-Private Partnership, Utilities
Management, and Aviation Management.

The MBA will capitalize on the respective strengths of the Arabian

Gulf University on one side and the ESSEC Business School and
AirBusiness Academy on the other.

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P rogram Structure

This MBA program sets itself apart from other MBA programs in the
region through its unique combination of core courses and tracks
that are designed to meet regional needs.
The program offers a dynamic learning environment delivered by
AGU and ESSEC faculty, as well as by AirBusiness Academy experts.
The duration of the program is 18 months and includes a balanced
mix of theory and practice through appropriately sequenced in-
dividual courses of instruction. Participants in the MBA learn from
their peers and faculty. The learning environment is dynamic, par-
ticipatory and application oriented. The language of instruction
of the MBA is English. Professors use an interactive methodology
that includes the use of study groups, simulations, business games,
presentations, role playing and case analysis. The MBA follows a
blended methodology which is formalized in the following scheme:

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 LEADERSHIP & MULTI-
PERSONALITY COMPETENCY
DEVELOPMENT TEAMS

BLENDED
CONSULTING
PROGRAM
PROJECT RESIDENCIES

NETWORKING

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The rational for each component of the above scheme which
begins through taking courses provides sound business knowledge
of management systems and continues as a blended program as
follows:
LEADERSHIP & PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT: Enhance leadership
skills through professional and personal development;
MULTI-COMPETENCY TEAMS: Learn to work in “glocal” environments
through acquiring intercultural and interpersonal skills;
RESIDENCIES: Opens the mind to discovering a global international
environment;
NETWORKING CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS: Discuss and interact
with professionals and leaders in a series of conferences and
workshops;
CONSULTING PROJECT: Work on a real business challenge under
the supervision of university faculty.

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Program Outline
The program is designed to include 40 credit hours of instruction
from all business related areas. This is broken down into 36 credit
hours of course work divided into 32 modules. This totals 576
contact hours with the addition of a 4 credit hour consulting
project. The program is divided into two parts as follows:
The first part of the program provides an in-depth examination
of the tools and functions of organizations. An emphasis will be
placed on the inter-relationships among these areas and this will
provide a strong foundation for deeper analysis in the second part
of the program.
The final part expands participants’ ability to deal with complex
management challenges relating to PPP, the aviation sector and
the utility sector.

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 First Semester Core Courses
Course Code Course Name Credits Hours
MBA 501 Business Simulation 1
MBA 502 Corporate and Competitive Strategy 1
MBA 503 Managing People 1

MBA 504 Finance 2

MBA 505 Managerial Economics 1
MBA 506 Financial Accounting 2
MBA 507 Marketing 2
MBA 509 Decision Making and Negotiation 1
MBA 510 Logistics and Supply Chain Management 1
MBA 511 Big Data 1

TOTAL 13

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 Second Semester Core Courses
Course Code Course Name Credits Hours
MBA 601 Entrepreneurial Management 1
MBA 602 Business Sustainability and Society 1
MBA 603 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility 1
MBA 604 Law and Business 1
MBA 605 HR & Compensation Management 1
MBA 606 Technology, IT and Technology Management 2
MBA 607 Leadership and Organizational Behavior 1
MBA 608 Global Strategy and Managing the Global 1
Corporation
MBA 609 Real Estate Management 1
MBA 610 Islamic Marketing & Marketing of Islamic 1
Financial Institutions
MBA 611 Islamic Law, Banking and Financial Transactions 1
MBA 612 Managing in Emerging Markets 1

TOTAL 13

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 MBA Tracks - Third Semester
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TRACK 1
Course Code Course Name Credit Hours
MBA701 Public Utilities Management / Managing in 2
the Utility Sector (Common Track)
MBA702 Economics of Regulation and Development 1
(Common Track)
MBA703 Project and Contract Management 2
(Common Track)
MBA707 Economic Policy, Global Economy and the 1
GCC
MBA708 Strategic Planning for Public and Non-Profit 2
Organizations
MBA709 Budgeting and Financial Management for 1
Public and Non-Profit Organizations
MBA710 Legal Context and Management of Public 1
Concession
Consultancy Project 4
TOTAL 14

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 UTILITIES MANAGEMENT TRACK 2
Course Code Course Name Credit Hours
MBA701 Public Utilities Management / Managing in 2
the Utility Sector (Common Track)
MBA702 Economics of Regulation and Development 1
(Common Track)
MBA703 Project and Contract Management 2
(Common Track)
MBA704 Water and Sanitation Policy and 2
Management
MBA705 Energy Policy and Management 2
MBA706 Public Policy, Social and Political 1
Development in the GCC

Consultancy Project 4

TOTAL 14

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 AVIATION MANAGEMENT TRACK 3
Course Code Course Name Credit Hours
MBA712 Airline Strategy and Business Planning 1
MBA713 Aviation Organizations & Human Resource 1
Management
MBA714 Aviation Legal and Regulatory Environment 1
MBA715 Airlines and Airport Marketing 1
MBA716 Aviation and Aircraft Finance 1
MBA717 Fleet Planning and Aircraft Evaluation 1
MBA718 Aviation Revenue Management 1
MBA719 Aircraft Maintenance Management 1
MBA720 Flight Operation and Crew Management 1
MBA721 Safety Management and Systems in 1
Aviation

Consultancy Project 4
TOTAL 14

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Residency Program
Two residencies are also included of eight days duration being
in Paris and in Singapore. During these residencies which will be
held at the Paris and Singapore Campus of ESSEC, students will
attend classes as well as seminars and visit leading companies and
organizations.
The residency is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding
of a region’s business, cultural and political environment, enhance
intercultural awareness and communication, as well as provide an
opportunity to network. During these residencies, MBA students
will study at the Paris and Singapore campues of ESSEC and have
the opportunity to interact with onsite MBA students studying
at ESSEC. They will be able to share knowledge, experiences, and
foster stronger cultural ties. The MBA consulting project provides
an opportunity to participate in the required project (4 credit
hours) which aims to broaden participants’ abilities to deal with the
entrepreneurial and challenging issues faced by public and private
organizations in the GCC region.

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 The Key Benefits and Coursework of the Specialized
Tracks within the MBA

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Track

The track has been designed to upgrade the skills and knowledge
necessary for career development and advancement mixing aca-
demic excellence in the management field while satisfying the spe-
cific needs of the GCC area. Participants will get a first-hand look
at the latest management innovations in the field of public-private
partnerships from high caliber faculty and experts.
Governments around the world have been looking at public-pri-
vate partnerships as ways to provide for an expanded involvement
of the private sector in the delivery of public services such as roads,
public transport, schools, hospitals and utilities.
The stated objective is to harness the forces of competition and the
innovative potential of the private sector to deliver services of high

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quality to citizens at lower costs to governments. Many of these
projects have been controversial with opponents arguing that im-
portant decision making authority has been handed to the private
sector with compromised accountability and little evidence of a re-
alization of actual savings.
Thus, in the last decade, governments of the GCC region have rec-
ognized the need to promote the private sector. In terms of this,
this specialization within the MBA will examine an array of these
programs, the laws regulating such partnerships, alternative sce-
narios for success and their impact on the relationship of govern-
ments with the private sector. (See page 16 for course work).

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Utilities Management Track

This unique track offers executive students the exciting opportuni-

ty to acquire a broad range of competencies required by high pro-
file managers, particularly in the utility industries. Energy and wa-
ter resources are vital to the region’s prosperity. Although the GCC
region is blessed with a huge amount of energy resources, it is one
of the most water-stressed regions in the world. Moreover, the GCC
countries are among the highest in per capita energy usage and
water consumption in the world. Efficient management of these
resources is crucial to achieve sustainable development. Utilities in-
cluding power, water, energy, and their environmental impact have
emerged in recent years as major areas of concern to governments,
companies and citizens. (See page 17 for course work).

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K ey Benefits of the Aviation Management Track
in Partnership with AirBusiness Academy

The record growth of air travel in the region coupled with the
steady expansion of far-reaching global airline networks has cre-
ated new challenges for GCC airlines companies. They have had to
adapt to an increasingly global environment by restructuring pro-
grams, upgrading and expanding their fleets, and implementing
new technology. This requires the training of senior executives at
an MBA level so as to allow them to address key challenges of the
aviation industry. In this regard, the aviation management track in
our MBA program is in partnership with AirBusiness Academy, an
Airbus Group company and specialized in aviation management
training. Within this track, we will examine issues such as airline
strategy and business planning, aviation organizations and HR
management, aviation and aircraft finance, flight operations and
crew management, as well as safety management systems in avia-

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tion, just to mention a few.  In order to meet the particular needs of
working professionals, the program format and content have been
designed specifically to ensure the most effective use of time in the
classroom and minimize the need to be away from work.

The aviation track will give participants the capabilities required

to address today’s aviation challenges. Designed to emphasize the
application of modern management concepts, methods and tools
within an aviation context, this graduate of the program has all of
the opportunities that an MBA student benefits from with the add-
ed bonus of a competitive edge in the aviation sector.(See page
18-19 for course work).

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 MBA Admission Requirements for all Tracks:
A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4 point sys-
tem) and at least 3 years of experience in a management position
- Certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts
- Proficiency in English Language ( TOEFL IbT 50 / IELTS 5.5)
- Completed application form
- Updated version of candidate’s CV with full details of current position
- Essays showing motivation and career goals
- Two letters of recommendation from previous and/or current employers

Graduation Requirements
Graduation will be obtained under the following conditions:
- Students should successfully complete 40 credit hours
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 points out of 4.0 is required, including
the Consultancy project
- Students must obtain a minimum of C in each course/module of the pro-
gram, including the consultancy project

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Students who have a grade of C in one or more courses and choose
to improve their GPA, may be allowed to repeat these courses with
the next batch. Students obtaining a D or F in any of the courses
MUST repeat the course (with the following batch) and fulfill the
above conditions for graduation. Students are required to pay fees
for all repeated courses.

Fees & Scheduling Dates

For all tracks, MBA tuition fee for the cohort of 2017-2019 is
13,600BD*. This covers the eighteen month program as well as the
accommodation and economy class plane tickets for the two eight
day ESSEC residencies in Paris and in Singapore. The program will
be delivered from October 2016 to May 2018. There is also non-re-
fundable application fee of 75BD.
* Fees are subject to increase on an annual basis.

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