1

Q: Regular application deadline is April 1, will the selection be rolling basis or after the deadline? 

申请截止日期是4月1日，选拔是滚动式进行还是在截止日期之后？

A: Yes, it will be after the deadline. It's not a rolling basis. We usually select all the applications, try to screen everything, and then allocated them to the interviews.

选拔会在截止日期之后，不是滚动式进行。我们通常会筛选所有申请，审查完所有信息通过后再进入面试环节。

2

Q: Is there an age limit for the program?

该项目有年龄限制吗？

A: No, there is no age limit. But there is strictly limit on the years of experience. It should not be more than three years of experience full time, not including the internships.

没有年龄限制。但对工作经验年限有严格限制——全职工作经验不得超过三年，但不包括实习经历。

3

Q: Do I need a degree from top-tier / Ivy League university to join the program?

我需要毕业于顶尖 / 常春藤联盟大学才能参加该项目吗？

A: No, you don't have. I think most of the participants of the program didn't graduate from top-tier / Ivy League universities.

A: 不需要。该项目的大多数参与者并非毕业于顶尖 / 常春藤联盟大学。

4

Q: Does DBA programme have restraint on majors?

DBA项目对专业有限制吗？

A: It opens to all majors, all educational backgrounds. There was someone who study physics, chemistry, and also economy or public policy.

所有专业、所有教育背景都可申请。DBA的学员有人学物理、化学，也有人学经济或公共政策。

5

Q: I'm currently a junior/graduate student scheduled to graduate in 2026/November 2025. If my university permits, I have no courses in my final year, am I eligible for this program this year?

我目前是一名大三/研究生，预计于2026年或2025年11月毕业。如果我在最后一年没有课程且我的大学允许，我今年有资格参加这个项目吗？

A: Unfortunately, no. Before start of the program, which is September 2025, you should have the bachelor's degree in hand. This is the main criteria because we are hiring you on full time basis and issuing work visa.

很遗憾，不行。在项目开始前，即2025年9月前，你应该已经取得学士学位。这是选拔的主要标准，因为我们是以全职方式聘用你，并且会为你办理工作签证。

6

Q: This year’s application is online without SFIEC's channel. Will this make the process more competitive for Chinese candidates? Will this affect application results?

今年的申请是在线进行，没有通过SFIEC渠道，这会让中国申请者面临更激烈的竞争吗？会影响申请结果吗？

A: This time everything is through the portal, meaning of course it will make it more competitive because you will be competing with other international candidates. But it shouldn't affect application process as long as you are good enough.

这次所有申请都通过网申进行，当然会更具竞争性，因为你会与其他国际申请者竞争。但只要你足够优秀，这不会影响申请流程。

7

Q: What qualities do you look for in candidates? What are the most important attributes?

你们在申请者身上寻找哪些品质？哪些是最重要的特质？

A: I felt like a DBA seeks leaders with a global perspective and strong collaboration skills, since you will collaborate with associates from all over the world. And the drive for growth and innovation and strategic thinking as well.

DBA项目希望申请者具有全球视野和强大的合作能力，因为你们将与来自世界各地的学员合作。还有对成长和创新的追求以及战略思维能力。

8

Q: Do you have any advice for preparing for the interviews?

你对准备面试有什么建议吗？

A: The high-level advice is is that you need to align your personal growth, your personal ambition with do with Dubai strategy, and you need to have good storytelling skill to to really demonstrate that you're a good candidate. But for the details, maybe you should also prepare for self-introduction on why you, why Dubai, why DBA, and also some questions related to strategy consulting, but overall, just be the authentic self and demonstrate what you're passionate about and why you apply for this program.

最重要的建议是，你需要将个人成长和志向与迪拜的战略相契合，你需要具备良好的讲故事能力，以真正展示你是一名优秀的候选人。至于细节方面，也许你还应该准备一些自我介绍,比如为什么选择你、为什么选择迪拜、为什么选择DBA以及一些与战略咨询相关的问题，但总体建议是——做真实的自己，展示你所热爱的东西以及说明清楚你为什么申请这个项目。

9

Q: Is the GPA a main criteria?

平均绩点（GPA）是主要标准吗？

A: No, GPA is not the main criteria. The main criteria is you're interest to the program and Dubai, and how well your research the placement partners, how well you are aware of the program, what do you want and what kind of value you can bring to the program.

不是，GPA 不是主要标准。主要标准是你对该项目以及迪拜的兴趣，以及你对实习合作伙伴的了解程度、对项目的了解程度、你的需求以及你能为项目带来什么样的价值。

10

Q: I took a half year gap after graduation. Exclude this gap time, I have less than three-year work experience. Can I apply for this program?

我毕业后有半年的间隔期。除去这段间隔期，我全职工作经验不到三年。我可以申请这个项目吗？

A: Yes, as long as you've worked less than three years of experienced full time. But definitely during the interview there will be questions like what did you do during this half a year?

可以，只要你全职工作经验不到三年。但在面试过程中肯定会有诸如“这半年你做了什么”之类的问题。

11

Q: If I have more than ten years of working experience in the field of finance and insurance and have reached middle management level, am I not not recommended to participate in this project?

如果我在金融和保险领域有超过十年的工作经验，并且已达到中层管理职位，是不是不推荐我参加这个项目？

A: This is a program for young graduates. Unfortunately, you cannot apply for the program because I don't think that the program has things that can offer to you as someone who already excelling in his career.

这是一个面向年轻毕业生的项目。很遗憾，你不能申请这个项目，因为我认为这个项目没有什么可以提供给已经在职业生涯中表现非常出色的你。

12

Q: I had a company for around seven years, but now I'm in my master’s degree and I will graduate this June. Is it a problem given that it was not full time?

我曾经经营过一家公司，大约七年时间，但现在我正在攻读硕士学位，今年六月即将毕业。鉴于之前不是全职状态，这会有问题吗？

A: I need to see the CV probably just to see what kind of things that you have been doing. But again, try to think what this program can give to you as if as for your career. This program is designed for young graduates who actually need a guidance in their career path, acting as a stepping stone in the career. So sometimes it's not like what we can actually get from you, but what you can get from the program.

我们可能需要看看你的简历，了解一下你这段时间都在做什么。但对你自己而言，试着思考一下这个项目能给你带来什么。这个项目是为年轻毕业生设计的，旨在为他们的职业道路提供指导，充当职业生涯的垫脚石。所以有时候这并不是我们能从你这里得到什么，而是你能从这个项目中得到什么，从这个角度来思考。

13

Q: The project requires applicants to have less than three years of work experience. Is this calculated based on the application deadline (April 1st) or the project start date (September)?

该项目要求申请者的工作经验少于三年。那么，这个年限是按照申请截止日期（4月1日）计算，还是按照项目开始时间（9月）计算？

A: It is calculated based on the application deadline, April 1st, 2025.

按照申请截止日期 2025年4月1日计算。

14

Q: Does this program prefer candidates with a STEM background and business interest or those from business, law, or politics?

该项目更倾向于STEM专业背景加上商业背景，还是纯粹是商业、法律或政治背景的候选人？

A: It is open to all backgrounds. What matters is your interest and how the program supports your career. Participants range from entrepreneurs and investors to medical science graduates. We value diversity so you can learn from both the program and your peers.

我们认为学员可以来自任何背景，重要的是兴趣和职业规划。我们过往的学员涵盖创业者、投资人及医学专业毕业生等。我们注重多样性，每位学员都能从不仅课程还有其他伙伴中获益。

15

Q: What is the difference between the early round and the regular round?

提前批和正常批次申请有什么区别？

A: The only difference is the decision timeline. We refer to them as the first and second waves based on when offers are sent. Early-round applicants receive offers around late April, while regular-round applicants are notified in late May or early June. The criteria and process remain the same.

唯一的区别是结果发布时间。我们将其称为第一波和第二波，提前批申请者预计4月底收到结果，常规申请者则在5月底或6月初通知。评选标准和流程完全相同。

16

Q: Is the interview video just a simple answer to some questions, or can it include clips or past case studies?

面试视频是简单回答问题，还是可以包含一些片段的剪辑或过去的案例研究？

A: Applicants are asked to submit a video introducing themselves—something they didn’t include in their CV or cover letter. The video can be as simple or as creative as you like, as long as the message is clear and easy for us to understand.

申请者需要提交一段自我介绍的视频，内容是简要介绍自己，并且补充简历或求职信中没有提到的部分。视频可以简单也可以富有创意，只要信息传达清晰即可。

17

Q: Can we reach out to DBA alumni for a referral? And how will a referral from DBA Associates help with the application process? Will it be beneficial?

我们可以联系DBA校友以获取推荐吗？来自DBA校友的推荐在申请过程中会有所帮助吗？它是否有益？

A: Yes, you can. Every alumnus and current associate have the right to refer candidates. We ensure that referred candidates are screened thoroughly and given priority. We carefully review their CVs and cover letters and discuss their applications. I would say that most referrals proceed to the first round of interviews because we trust our alumni.

可以。每位校友和在职员工都有推荐候选人的权利。我们会确保对被推荐的候选人进行严格筛选，并给予优先考虑。我们会认真审核他们的简历和求职信，并进行讨论。我可以说，大多数被推荐的候选人都会进入第一轮面试，因为我们信任我们的校友。

1

Q: How many Chinese associates are expected to be selected for the program?

预计该项目将选拔多少名中国学员？

A: This time we try to look on the merit rather than on the nationality.

这次我们看的是个人能力而非国籍。

2

Q: What expenses are covered in the DBA programme?

DBA项目涵盖哪些费用？

A: It's fully funded. Starting from visa, flight, accommodation, medical insurance, everything is covered. And also, you will be given like a monthly stipend that should cover your basic expenses.

该项目全额资助。从签证、机票、住宿、医疗保险，所有费用都包括在内。此外，你还将获得每月津贴，足以覆盖基本开销。

3

Q: What is the difference between the DBA program and an MBA program?

DBA项目和MBA项目有什么区别？

A: MBA is usually the formal academic degree that is offered by universities typically lasting one to two years. While DBA is a 9-months program, you know that it's mostly focused on consulting, leadership and cross-cultural business experience. Though both have half internship and the consulting projects, they are totally different because MBA offers a degree and DBA doesn't. After DBA you will get the completion certificate, but not a degree.

MBA通常是大学提供的正式学术学位，通常为期一到两年。而DBA是一个为期九个月的项目，主要侧重于咨询、领导力和跨文化商业经验。尽管两者都有半年的实习期和咨询项目，但它们完全不同，因为MBA授予学位，而 DBA不授予。完成DBA项目后，你将获得结业证书，而不是学位。

4

Q: Which industries does this program's placement cover?

该项目的实习涉及哪些行业？

A: A lot of varieties. We have people going to VC companies, government bodies like knowledge of human development authority, and semi government entities which is like similar to state-owned enterprises. And we have a lot of sectors like sustainability, energy.

涉及的行业多种多样。我们有学员进入风险投资公司、政府机构（如人力资源发展局）以及类似国有企业的半官方机构。我们还涉及许多领域，如可持续发展、能源等。

5

Q: Will I be guaranteed a job offer after DBA? What are the career paths of DBA alumni?

完成DBA项目后，我一定能获得工作机会吗？DBA校友的职业发展路径是怎样的？

A: Unfortunately, no. That depends on several factors, such as your connection with your placement partner and your consulting project partners, your interaction with the people there, your performance, your external connection with employees of other companies outside of the DBA setting, and the overall market demand for a certain type of job. And the second one is that what are the career paths of DBA alumni? So there are alumni going to consulting sector because a lot of people coming to DBA because they're interested in consulting. There are actually a great variety of career paths. For example, there are some alumni going to sustainability sector into managing operating or making reports in sustainability.

很遗憾，不能保证你能获得工作机会。这取决于多个因素，比如你与实习单位以及咨询项目合作伙伴的关系、你与那里的人的交流、你的表现、你与DBA之外的其他公司员工的外部联系，以及整体市场对某种类型工作的需求。至于DBA校友的职业发展路径，有很多校友进入咨询行业，因为很多人来DBA是因为他们对咨询感兴趣。实际上，职业发展路径非常多样化。例如，有些校友进入可持续发展领域，从事可持续发展的运营管理或报告工作。

6

Q: Are the consulting projects the same every year?  

每年的咨询项目都一样吗？

A: No, they vary each year based on client needs. Sometimes, clients approach us with specific challenges, and we develop consulting projects accordingly. Other times, we refine project scopes with internal resources.  

不是，每年都会根据客户的需求变化。有时，客户会根据某个具体的问题找到我们，我们需要因地制宜地制定项目；我们也会结合内部资源优化项目范围。  

7

Q: What changes and impacts can we expect from the shift in project director at DBA from James to Rami?

DBA的新任项目主管带来了哪些变化？

A: While there are different work styles, the program’s structure remains largely the same, with ongoing improvements each year.

虽然工作风格不同，但项目结构保持基本不变，并逐年进行改进。

8

Q: How many associates decided to stay in GCC after the DBA program?

多少名学员在DBA项目结束后选择留在海湾合作委员会国家？

A: Around 60-70% choose to stay in the GCC region, with some working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. A few return to their home countries, while some decide to pursue their master’s degrees, particularly those who just graduated and joined the program. They realize they want to further their studies and go to different countries for their master’s.

大约60-70%的学员选择留在海湾合作委员会地区，部分人在迪拜、阿布扎比、沙特阿拉伯和卡塔尔工作。一些人选择返回自己国家，也有一些刚毕业的学员决定继续深造，前往其他国家攻读硕士学位。