Sharjah: The 11th edition of the Sharjah Leadership Programme (SLP) took its 30 participants for field training and intensive study to Italy’s largest metropolis, Milan, to offer them a global perspective on best practices in leadership and business management. Special emphasis was laid on understanding international leadership and organisational behaviour requirements within intercultural contexts. Having this expertise is key to the success of next generation Emirati leaders, given the UAE’s multicultural population represented by over 200 nationalities.

The five-month professional programme organised by Sharjah for Capability Development (SCD), commenced in January 2019.

This year, SCD appointed the prestigious SDA Bocconi School of Management as their international academic partner for SLP. An intensive five-day course in leadership and management at the school, with special emphasis on the workings of both in an intercultural context, made up the first leg of the Italy visit for SLP participants.   

The school ranks seventh, globally, in executive education. The university’s curriculum in business management and leadership is shaped by the university’s 170+ partnerships and exchange programmes with colleges from 48 countries wordwide.

The second leg of the visit played out in the busy Italian metropolis of Milan. It encompassed visits to major Italian companies like world-class luxury car company, Lamborghini - leading manufacturer of sports and racing cars; designer Federico Sangalli’s haute couture store ‘Sangalli’ in the heart of the city; Talent Garden; Milan State Archives, Italy’s public record office built in 1608 and holds prized state treasures; Turismo Milano; Building Energy and Design Group Italia.

Participants also spent time with city branding and development experts, discussing Milan’s efforts in establishing itself as a hub of heritage, creativity and design. One of the highlights of their trip was a meeting with senior officials from Expo Milano 2015, during which they gained valuable insights into how the cultural and economic landscape of Milan and Italy have been changing since they hosted the prestigious global event.

Continuing its efforts to develop the capabilities of the current generation of Emirati leaders in the UAE, SLP 2019 running under the theme, “Leading with Knowledge and Imagination,” has participants from both the nation’s public and private sectors.