We are delighted to invite you to an inspiring and interactive evening designed exclusively for our students and alumni community.
Introducing “Beyond Business, Beyond the Classroom” which is an evening focused on career growth, self-discovery, and making the most of your learning experience. The event will kick off with an alumni-led session on career development and goal setting. Our alumni will share real-life stories of career transitions and discuss how they leveraged coaching, mentoring, and other career resources during and after their studies.
Alumni Speakers:
Nivin Abu Snaineh
Dr. Hany Mourad Gerges
Abdulhadi Al-Thawadi (Online)
Chantelle Asante: Moderator
Amin El Kholy: Workshop Facilitator
Next, we dive into our signature interactive workshop:Business Model You: Your Career, Your Business
This one-hour workshop will transform how you think about your Master’s education. Discover how the principles of business, finance, strategy, marketing, education and operations can be applied not just in the boardroom, but in everyday life. Using the Personal Business Model Canvas, you’ll take part in a hands-on activity that applies entrepreneurial thinking to your own career. You'll leave with a toolkit to design and manage your career as if it were your own business.
Event Agenda:
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Registration & Networking
6:00 PM – 6:05 PM | Welcome & Opening Remarks
6:10 PM – 6:50 PM | Alumni Panel: Career Development & Transitions
6:50 PM – 7:00 PM | Audience Q&A
7:00 PM – 7:50 PM | Workshop: Business Model You – Your Career, Your Business
8:00 PM | Event comes to an end
This event promises to offer meaningful insights, valuable connections, and a new lens on how your Master’s degree can shape every aspect of your life.
Alumni Speakers:
Dr Amin El Kholy
Dr Amin El-Kholy is Associate Director of Teaching & Learning at The University of Manchester – Dubai and Senior Lecturer in Financial Decision Making at Alliance Manchester Business School. A seasoned investment executive and academic, he brings over two decades of experience in MENA fund management, technology, and education.
He has held senior roles at the National Bank of Dubai, Shuaa Capital, and Arqaam Capital, and currently serves as Chairman of Introspect Capital, a DIFC-based investment firm. Holding a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and an MBA in Finance, Dr El-Kholy combines academic excellence with real-world insight to enhance learning strategies and bridge research with practice.
He is also an ICF Certified Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, and Eriksonian Hypnotherapist, with a strong interest in leadership, team development, and personal growth.
Nivin Abu Snaineh
Nivin Abu Snaineh is a distinguished investment advisor, executive coach, and fintech strategist with over 17 years of experience across global financial institutions. Currently Head of Wealth Management at INVESTBANK Jordan and CEO of NAWA for Consultation & Training, she has coached startups and professionals in collaboration with Fintech Saudi, JOPACC, and global incubators. A mentor at the University of Manchester, she empowers future leaders in digital transformation, DeFi, and AI innovation. Nivin is a certified trainer and frequent speaker on investment, entrepreneurship, and fintech across MENA, with a track record of building impact-driven growth strategies.
Dr. Hany Mourad Gerges
Dr. Hany Mourad Gerges is the Chief Executive Officer of AEON International Gulf, a subsidiary of Radius Systems Group. With more than 20 years of international experience in the industrial manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, he is known for leading strategic transformation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth across global markets.
Previously serving as Managing Director from 2015 to 2022, Dr. Gerges was appointed CEO to lead AEON’s expansion and integration across the Middle East. He holds a PhD in Smart Industrial Management, an MBA from the University of Manchester, a Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership, and a Sustainability Leadership Certificate from Imperial College London.
Dr. Gerges began his career in senior regional roles at Crane Fluid Systems and AVK Middle East, building strong commercial networks across the Middle East and Africa. Today, he continues to champion smart operations, market innovation, and talent development within the industry.
Outside of his professional commitments, he is a lifelong enthusiast of music and an international competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Abdulhadi AL-Thawadi
Abdulhadi Al Thawadi is a seasoned organizational transformation expert with over 20 years of experience in project and portfolio management, performance and quality management, business process improvement, and strategic execution. As Vice President of the Vision Realization Office at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, he plays a key role in driving national transformation initiatives and aligning strategic goals with impactful outcomes.
Chantelle Asante:
Chantelle Asante is a dedicated Education Consultant committed to empowering students through inclusive teaching and learning strategies tailored to individual needs. She places a strong emphasis on nurturing curiosity and a love for learning during the foundational years of education, fostering an engaging and supportive classroom environment.
With over a decade of experience in the education sector, Chantelle has held a variety of roles within schools, enabling her to gain a comprehensive understanding of effective educational practices. Her work across the UK, USA, and UAE has provided her with a rich, cross-cultural perspective on how educational approaches can be shaped by diverse cultural contexts.
Chantelle holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, which has further strengthened her capacity to lead and innovate. She has successfully led whole-school initiatives, developed and managed curricula, overseen subject areas such as English, and played a key role in mentoring Early Career Teachers, guiding them through the crucial initial stages of their professional journey.
About the University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and is one of the UK’s largest single-site universities with more than 40,000 students on campus – including more than 10,000 international students.
The University is consistently ranked among the world’s elite institutions for graduate employability and world-class research across a diverse range of fields including cancer, advanced materials, global inequalities, energy and industrial biotechnology.
According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, The University of Manchester is ranked 34th Globally, 10th in Europe and 6th in the UK.
About The University of Manchester - Dubai
The University of Manchester – Dubai, located in Dubai Knowledge Park was established in 2006 and is the largest and fastest-growing in the University’s international network, comprising five hubs in key business cities around the world, including Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manchester.
The University of Manchester – Dubai is Licensed by The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and all programmes are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation.
The Branch offers a dynamic portfolio of blended learning part-time Master’s degrees for working professionals. These include its triple accredited Manchester Global MBA and Executive MBA programmes, MSc Financial Management, and an award-winning MA Educational Leadership in Practice. The University also has a range of short business courses for executives delivered in Manchester.
The Branch has supported over 3,600 Part-time students in the region and graduated more than 2,650 students. It also works in regional collaborations with a range of industry groups, professional bodies and companies, and supports a regional alumni association with more than 5,500 members in countries across the region.
