The UAE’s business education sector needs stronger links with employers to prepare graduates for changing workplace demands, according to Amer Al Ahbabi, Chairman of Vertex Holding.
He said universities and companies should expand experiential learning through structured training, practical projects and direct collaboration. Such efforts could help graduates build the skills needed to enter the private sector.
The need is particularly evident in fields such as accounting, auditing, taxation, compliance and risk management. These sectors face growing regulatory and professional requirements across the UAE and the wider Gulf.
Employers call for stronger links with universities
Al Ahbabi made the comments after joining the Business Influencers Council of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, or AACSB, for the 2026-2027 term.
He said the region had already built business education institutions that meet international standards. However, he argued that the next stage should involve greater regional participation in shaping those standards.
“The region has spent many years building business education institutions that meet international standards. The next phase should see greater participation in discussions that help shape those standards, while bringing a perspective that reflects the needs of the region’s rapidly evolving economies and markets,” Al Ahbabi said.
The council aims to bring the views of employers closer to business schools. Therefore, its discussions cover emerging skills, competency gaps, practical training and partnerships between companies and universities.
Al Ahbabi is expected to contribute perspectives from business, governance and finance. His focus will include the skills employers expect from graduates and ways to expand live projects and practical training across the region.
AI and technical skills reshape business education
Business schools are also adjusting their programmes as labour market requirements evolve.
Technical skills now carry greater importance. At the same time, employers increasingly expect graduates to understand governance, compliance and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
In a July 2026 report, AACSB said business schools were moving beyond limited AI experiments. Instead, institutions were increasingly integrating AI into education, research and administration.
The shift has also increased attention on AI governance, responsible use and human-centred leadership. As a result, business schools face pressure to combine technological knowledge with judgement and leadership skills.
Professor Dr. Mohamed Madi, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at United Arab Emirates University, said Al Ahbabi’s participation would add a regional perspective to international discussions.
According to Madi, his experience could contribute to conversations around talent, leadership, innovation and the skills needed for the future of work.
Practical learning could improve graduate readiness
The growing focus on experiential learning reflects a wider challenge facing employers and universities.
Academic knowledge alone may not fully prepare graduates for professional environments. Therefore, structured internships, industry projects and direct company engagement could play a larger role in business education.
Al Ahbabi has highlighted practical training and live projects as important tools for narrowing the gap between university curricula and workplace requirements.
Stronger cooperation could also help universities respond more quickly to changes in professional standards and regulations.
This is particularly relevant as Gulf economies continue to create new requirements across finance, governance, technology and compliance.
AACSB expands its global business education network
Founded in 1916, AACSB focuses on the accreditation and development of business schools worldwide.
In February 2026, the association said 1,083 institutions across 70 countries and territories held its accreditation.
Al Ahbabi’s appointment to the Business Influencers Council comes as employers and education providers place greater emphasis on workforce readiness.
The broader goal is clear. Graduates need academic knowledge, but they also need practical experience and skills that match the changing needs of businesses.
For the UAE and the wider Gulf, closer collaboration between companies and universities could therefore become increasingly important in preparing talent for the future of work.
