The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry through its Sharjah Training and Development Centre announced on August 25 the launch of the Oxford and Cambridge Executive Programme in Leadership, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. The initiative will run from August 30 to September 5 at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge with additional activities in Warwick. It aims to develop executives capable of leveraging AI to enhance decision-making and organisational agility amid fast-paced technological change. The chamber has called on leaders from both public and private sectors to participate in the opportunity.
This programme arrives as the UAE continues to accelerate its AI capabilities with the market forecast to hit Dh170 billion by 2030 according to a Grand View Research study. Investment in artificial intelligence among UAE organisations surged 105 percent year on year a ServiceNow report on enterprise AI maturity indicated. Such figures highlight the growing need for leadership training that bridges technological advances with strategic business applications.
Maryam Saif Al Shamsi assistant director general of the support services sector at the chamber described the programme as integral to broader development goals. “The Oxford and Cambridge Executive Programme is part of the Sharjah Chamber’s strategic vision to invest in talent development and executive leadership” she said. Al Shamsi noted that the partnership with renowned UK institutions would help transfer cutting-edge knowledge to Sharjah’s business ecosystem bolstering economic resilience and attractiveness for investment. This investment in leadership serves as a strategic enabler for the emirate’s long-term visions she added.
Sessions will combine lectures by senior academics with case studies roundtable discussions practical simulations and field visits to facilitate knowledge exchange. Themes encompass leadership in the era of artificial intelligence strategic approaches to digital disruption governance issues in technology transformation and data-driven executive decision-making. The interactive format is intended to move participants from theoretical understanding toward practical implementation within their respective organisations.
Amal Abdullah Al Ali director of the Sharjah Training and Development Centre emphasised the comprehensive nature of the learning experience. “The programme is designed to extend beyond traditional academic learning by offering an interactive platform that combines knowledge practical application and hands-on experience” Al Ali stated. She explained that attendees would collaborate with leading experts to tackle contemporary challenges and develop actionable strategies tailored to their institutions. The centre remains committed to delivering international programmes that emphasise critical analysis and real-world application.
A MarkNtel Advisors assessment projects the GCC digital transformation market to grow at an annual rate of 9.06 percent between 2026 and 2032 expanding from USD 20.38 billion to USD 34.29 billion. Cloud computing leads deployment methods in the sector while AI integration gains traction across industries. The Sharjah initiative aligns with these regional trends by preparing executives to contribute effectively to national digital economy objectives.
