SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS - 31 - Dubai UAE
EW 298S-3
Evening / Weekend MBA program
Spring Semester 2010
| Instructor: | Sebastian Teunissen |
| Office: | F 447 |
| Hours: | by appointment |
| Contact: | Telephone: (510) 643-4999 |
| Fax: (510) 642-8228 | |
| E-mail:teunissen@haas.berkeley.edu |
Course Objectives, Structure and Organization
This 2 unit course is designed to introduce the participants to the culture, history and business environment of Dubai.
Participation in this course is restricted to students enrolled in the MBA Programs at the Haas School of Business.
| December 3, 5:00 PM | Mandatory Class Meeting - location TBA |
Travel schedule (subject to frequent change)
| DATE | Schedule |
| January 8 (Fri) | Depart USA for Dubai, UAE(DXB). (Participants responsible for own flights.) |
| January 9(Sat) | Arrive DXB. Check into the Le Meridien Fairway hotel. (subject to change!!) |
| January 10 (Sun) | 9:00 AM Dr. Fadi Ghandour, Founder and CEO, Aramex (day/time tentative) 1:30 PM Dr. Sami Kamel, Regional Marketing Director, Middle East & Africa, GE Energy |
| January 11(Mon) | 9:00 AM Mr. Iain Potter; VP Marketing Home and Personal Care, Unilever Arabia (date, time tentative) 2:00 PM Mr. James Hadley, Managing Partner, Bain and Company (date/time tentative) |
| January 12 (Tues) | Day trip to Abu Dhabi (tentative) 7:00 AM departure 9:00 AM Grand Mosque TBA Mubadela (tentative) |
| January 13 (Wed) | 9:00 AM Mr. Hemant Lalithraj Mashreq Bank (time tentative) 2:00 PM Mr.Walid Tabanji, Director of Policy and Strategy, Strategy & Planning Office, Government of Dubai (date/time tentative) |
| January 14 (Thurs) | 9:00 AM Emirates National Oil Company (tentative) 2:00 PM TBA |
| January 15 (Fri) | Depart DXB |
| Time Zone Converter |
Logistics and Formalities
PASSPORT and VISAS (source: United States Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs FOREIGN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS)
You must have a passport with a validity extending to July 15, 2010 or beyond. Apply now for a new passport if you do not meet this requirement.
Assignments
Research Paper
The main assignment for this course will consist of a research paper on a topic to be decided in consultation with the instructor. The topic should encompass some aspect(s) of doing business in Dubai. It could compare and contrast an industry in Dubai versus the USA, review market potential for some product or service in Dubai or follow a similar theme. Ideally, the paper should be related to the particular company or industry in which the student is/was/will be employed.
The paper will take the form of a Word document, complete with proper citiations, bibliography and footnotes. It should be between 10 and 15 pages, double spaced, plus exhibits.
Due Date: 6:00 PM, Monday, February 22, in hard copy delivered to the EWMBA office.
Briefings
Briefings are designed to assist the group's understanding of the companies and organizations that we will visit and/or the cultures that we will experience. Each student is to select one of the organizations on our itinerary and prepare a briefing on that entity. This briefing will be delivered to the group prior to our visit to that particular entity. Following the visit, the same student will lead a de-briefing to summarize what we learned from the visit.
Evaluation
Evaluation for a grade will be based on four components - the research paper, team presentations, the briefings and overall participation. Participation throughout the classroom sessions and during the study tour will be considered. The breakdown for grading purposes will be as follows:
| Research Paper: | 60% |
| Team Presentations | 10% |
| Briefings/De-briefings: | 5% |
| Participation: | 25% |
Health & Safety Issues
Travel overseas, especially to developing countries and emerging markets, may expose participants to health and other risks different from those that they face at home. Although we will do our best to make participants aware of such risks and will make efforts to minimize risks, the ultimate responsibility lies with the participant. Participation in the program explicitly implies acceptance of all responsibility for loss, injury and/or death by the applicant. Participants are advised to check with the Centers for Disease Control and with the US State Department for information on health and safety issues respectively. See also the useful international web sites page for further research on countries and their respective health and safety record.
Each participant must obtain, at their own expense, any vaccinations, inoculations or other medications considered appropriate for a prudent traveler to the destination(s) to which they are assigned.
Please note that all participants in UC-sponsored and supervised activities abroad must register their travels with the Office of Risk Activities. Prior to traveling overseas, all students must complete this form: http://www.uctrips-insurance.org/. Proof of registration must be handed into the EWMBA office no later than 30 days prior to travel. In the event you do not carry insurance through the University of California at Berkeley, proof of medical coverage including Emergency Evacuation, must also be submitted to the EWMBA office 30 days prior to travel. Without endorsement or recommendation, the following possible providers are listed for your convenience:
MEDEX is one possible source for such insurance. See also: www.insuremytrip.com and www.specialtyrisk.com
Perhaps the best deal (currently $22.00) is the International Student Identity Card insurance option.
The Centers for Disease Control Travel Section provides a wealth of information on traveler's health.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Once a student has signed up to participate, various expenditures are committed to, on their behalf. Should the student subsequently withdraw, for any reason, the student will be liable for all such expenditures.
Country Information
National Geographic: United Arab Emirates
CIA World Factbook: United Arab Emirates
Visa Information
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans with US passports valid for more than six months are welcome to enter the UAE, and no longer need to obtain a visa to enter the country if the duration of stay is less than one month. But, please check with the Embassy to confirm your own situation.
Health Concerns
Centers for Disease Control United Arab Emirates Health Information
World Health Organization United Arab Emirates Information
Last Updated: November 23, 2009
