The American University in Dubai (AUD), on behalf of its School of Business Administration, and Cornell University, on behalf of its Johnson Graduate School of Management, have recently signed a partnership agreement to collaborate jointly in the design, development and delivery of AUD’s proposed Executive Master of Business Administration - EMBA program - with a September, 2017 target date for launch. 
 
AUD’s President, Dr. Lance de Masi, signed the partnership agreement with Dr. Elizabeth Mannix, Associate Dean for Executive MBA at Cornell University, in the presence of AUD Provost Dr. Jihad Nader and Mr. Devin Bigoness, Executive Director for Executive Education at Cornell.
 
“The AUD-Cornell collaboration is indeed gratifying. Our joint efforts to design and launch an EMBA will provide the market with a unique offering whose caliber and significance will enhance the Dubai/UAE landscape in business education. This is certainly transformative for our School of Business Administration and potentially the entire institution,” comments Dr. Lance de Masi.
 
The collaboration will include as a first step, consulting in the design of the EMBA curriculum, definition of the program mission, goals and learning outcomes, assessment plan, admissions requirements and proposals to all of AUD’s local and international accrediting bodies. This collaborative project will allow both schools to progress in research, executive education and other areas of partnerships.
 
“This cooperative venture with such a well –established school as the American University in Dubai is a perfect fit for Johnson. AUD is known for its strong commitment to excellence, emphasis on global understanding, and its diverse and international faculty, staff, and student body. We are truly excited about this rich and creative collaboration,” comments Dr. Elizabeth Mannix.
 
The two universities are also deliberating the possibility of Cornell University faculty teaching in Dubai for selected modules, the development of international immersion programs and/or certificate programs in the US, as well as scheduling course delivery via TelePresence – a conferencing technology available at both campuses.