About MDCI
The region’s leading provider of executive education programmes.
For more than thirty years we have been helping generations of business men and women develop knowledge and confidence to in turn develop their careers. You have come to the right place to find out more about about our courses, our partners and associates, our course leaders and faculty.
Your Team
Robert Rice, MDCI Managing Partner
Learning and Rob have been connected from the hip for as long as he can remember. Indeed, for many years he nurtured professionals in the Healthcare sector in his various international roles in the HR and Learning and Development sector.
During the early 80’s Rob was able to join an MBA programme and loved it so much, there and then he knew he wanted to bring mind-expanding learning to the Arabian Gulf, a region that captured his heart way back. Africa too, as Rob’s career took him to various parts on both continents. Indeed, in 2009 he was identified as one of the leaders in executive education in the MENA countries by the Middle East Economic Digest. Today, Rob lives in Asia and continues to identify leading-edge management development and degree education for next generation leaders.
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Dr. Lester Massingham, CTL MBA Author and Director
Dr Lester’s lifelong career as an International Management Consultant has grown from an initial cost accounting and econometrics platform to designing and achieving Strategic Management solutions for Government Organisations, Multinationals, and SMEs throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
His Clients include Commerzbank, NCB Bank, ING, Zuellig Insurance, Toyota Distributors, Lotus Cars, Schlumberger, Nippon Oil & Gas, DHL & many more. Dr Lester’s dedication and expertise as a strategist is to influence top management mindsets towards New Value Creation through impactful Strategy Determination for Financial Value Capture, Culture Change and Incremental Stakeholder Value. This formula for Leading Transformational Change is achieved by challenging existing business models for ‘relevance’ to enable organisational strategy realignment for financial sustainability.
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Professor James Kirkbride LLB (Hons), MPhil, PhD, PGCE
, MDCI Partner
Professor James Kirkbride is Professor of International Business Law and was the founding Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at Liverpool John Moores University (with over 8500 students) and university head of the international and enterprise strategies (for 8 years).
Previously he was the Head of the Centre for Board Development in Leeds and Director of the Law School and Assistant Dean in the Business Faculty at Leeds Metropolitan University; and previously the Head of the largest university law School in the UK, at Manchester Metropolitan University. He was also seconded to a new role as the university Director of External Affairs. James also spent 6 years’ on the Board of UK’s largest private education provider, during which the acquisition of two UK universities was completed.
James has published over 60, papers in journals in law, business and education, and has written and contributed to 8 books on Business and Law issues. His works received the accolade of selected reproduction as one of the highest cited works in the past 10 years from the journal “Corporate Governance: An International Review’. He has held personal Chairs and awarded a Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies by the European Commission.
His expertise is reflected in his appointment to the Department of Trade and Industry’s “Ideas Factory”’; his appointment as the first chair of the Standard’s Committee West Yorkshire; and his appointment to professional body boards such as the Institute of Directors’ Board and the Bar Council Education Committee (Northern Circuit), and to the Senior Executive Roundtable at the EFQM; and to the Policy Committee of the UK Association of Business Schools..
He was a member of Innovation and Business Excellence Awards Jury; the Steering Group for the UK Northern Way Centres of Excellence Initiative; and International Advisory Committee of leading Business Schools, including NIMBAS (Netherlands), GISMa (Germany), International Quality Assurance Advisory Panel at Limkokwing (Malaysia), Executive Business School (Nigeria), Dublin Business School (Éire), Chair, Academic Board to LSBF (Singapore),. He is also a member of the Xi’an Arbitration Panel in China and was recently appointed as an EU expert under the EU-China International Commercial Arbitration Project. His EU Report on ODR was published in late 2009, and his Report for The Confederation of Chambers in Europe (COBCOE) on the future Europe was published in early 2017, following his work on the steering Committee of COBCOE and being asked to lead a study across Chambers in Europe.
Parts of his activity reflect a strong commitment and innovation in relevant vocational studies, including a Schumann award from the EU for developing and delivering programmes in this area, a UK DTI finalist award for UK-China sustainable penetration, and the accolade of one of the first “Yorkshire Winner “ awards by the Regional Development Agency for contributions to the County. He has also made invited contributions to national media (Times Higher, and the Guardian) on vocational education and employability, and has managed and led international M & A’s in the education field to the value of over £250m.
James’ has a particular interest in developing leaders, and was innovative in securing the first distance learning leaders’ development programme for the IoD and in establishing a Centre for Leadership in the North of England, while launching the IoD Director development programme in both Singapore and in Japan. He was also the co-founder of the UK Leaders’ Club, and established sector interest groups in Health service innovations and provisions, and in Sports’ Governance and Leadership. He also received a UK government to work with a group of professional service firms in the legal and accountancy professions to develop mentoring and coaching for professional service firm leaders.
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Dr David Bright, Consultant Head of Faculty
Dr Bright’s academic career has taken him into the halls of numerous UK universities, leaving deep imprints on David, his students and his fellow faculty.
His areas of interest and specialisation cross Human Resource Management into Industrial Relations. Indeed, David’s insights, views and interpretations are held in such high regard he is long-since called to counsel and steer the design of degree programmes around the world, including MBAs. David also enjoys delivering MBA curricula and feedback shows his students really appreciate his personable, engaging teaching style.
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Roberto Rice, Head of Programmes, Arabian Gulf and UK
Roberto has lived and worked in the Middle East and Africa for over 20 years. He is particularly fond of the Arabian Gulf and actually called Bahrain ’home’ for many years. He is known for his camaraderie, going that extra mile and more when it comes to supporting students in their studies. He understands the demands on them, often juggling professional careers and family commitments.
MDCI’s consultant faculty also comment on how confident they feel knowing Roberto is ‘on the business’. These attributes also serve Roberto and the students in his coordination and collaboration with partner Universities and professional associations, in the UK and South Africa.
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Salam Mohammed, Cohort Manager, Arabian Gulf
Bahrain-based, Salam has been part of the MDCI family since 1995. There is not much Salam doesn’t know about the business of delivering premium management development, under- and postgratuate education.
He has supported 1,000s of students from across the GCC, helping ensure the timely completion of their studies so that they can carry away the well-earned degree and/or professional certification. Salam is known for his outstanding care and still gets a buzz from helping busy professionals manage their studies while also delivering high standards in the workplace and at home.
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More from MDCI
Future-sensing yet born from over three decades, serving Arabia and beyond.
Foundation Programme
This conversion programme seamlessly bridges the period from high school graduation to University entry
Bachelor Degree Top-Up
For people who might have not completed their bachelor studies or have an HND (or equivalent) and would like to complete honours’ degree studies. Specialisation in Business Management, Human Resource Management, Engineering management and Logistics management.
BoardRoom
Delivered by internationally acclaimed experts rightly called ‘one-of-a-kind’ -as we haven’t found anything quite like it – this is a deep, broad and forward-looking immersion into the role of the Board. Essential for existing board members, aspiring executives and non-executive directors.
MasterClass
A carefully designed series of workshops and courses, that uniquely provide MBA holders with Continuing Programme Development. Ensuring participants stay on top-of-their-game and ahead of developments in markets, sectors, demographics, advancements, global economics and more.
Student Success Stories
With more than 5,000 Alumni, over thirty-plus years, MDCI has heard of some wonderful achievements. Here are a few of our favourites:
Fahad Al Furaih,
2015 MBA Graduate
VP. Human Resources, Schneider Electric
In 2015 I completed my MBA studies in Bahrain with MDCI. Without the MBA I would never have gotten to where I am today – the programme enabled me to hone my general management skills and challenged me to become a better leader. Thank you to MDCI’s team for your professionalism and endless support.
Hassan Al Mannai,
2017 MBA Graduate
Founder, Socialize Media
I graduated in 2017 with an MBA that I studied in Bahrain with MDCI. I had been in my job in the banking sector for about seven years and was thinking how I could train to gain a promotion. I opted for the MDCI MBA because it fitted around my work and family commitments. I found that following my completion of the MBA I was more confident, efficient, and better able to manage my time. I was able to implement what I had learnt immediately and benefit from the course in many ways. I have now founded my own company Socialize Media, a Qatar-based social media marketing and digital advertising agency.
Nidal Idriss,
2018 MBA Graduate
Senior Division Manager, Chalhoub Group
My experience of the MBA was remarkable. From the first topic to the last, everything I learnt was essential and of benefit to my knowledge and career. Because the classes were scheduled for every six weeks, I was able to manage my job and studies. The graduation ceremony was perfectly organised and a magnificent experience.
