Doha is fast becoming a destination of choice for ambitious professionals seeking world-class business education. Since launching the Emerging Leaders Track (ELT) in October 2024, HEC Paris, Doha has welcomed a dynamic and diverse group of executives from across the GCC who are traveling to Qatar to fast-track their leadership journey with a globally ranked Executive MBA.
Located in the heart of Msheireb Downtown, the state-of-the-art HEC Paris, Doha campus is playing a key role in shaping the next generation of leaders, offering participants a rare opportunity to combine world-class executive education with regional business insight, while studying in one of the Middle East’s most vibrant and innovative cities.
A Program Built for Ambitious Professionals
The Executive MBA Emerging Leaders Track at HEC Paris, Doha is redefining what leadership development looks like in the Gulf. As the first program of its kind in the region, it’s crafted for professionals with five or more years of experience who are ready to move into senior roles and make their mark.
What sets this track apart is its blend of global business expertise and regional insight. Participants don’t just study leadership – they live it, through dynamic case studies, high-impact simulations, and a capstone project that addresses real-world business challenges.
With the option to specialize in one of eight fields – including entrepreneurship, strategy, finance, and artificial intelligence – professionals can tailor their EMBA journey to match their ambitions. It’s a flexible, future-focused approach that prepares them to lead with confidence in a fast-changing world.
Connecting Future-Ready Talent to Regional Ambitions
This Executive MBA Track is more than a career accelerator – it’s a platform for advancing leaders and driving meaningful change across the region. With participants representing key sectors like finance, energy, healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship, the program encourages cross-sector collaboration and fresh thinking. By equipping rising leaders with both global insight and regional relevance, it supports not only individual growth but also broader development goals across the Gulf.
“We are preparing the next generation of leaders to drive sustainable growth and societal progress. By fostering leadership capabilities among the region’s rising talent, we are contributing directly to national transformation agendas,” said Dean Martin de Holan.
Why Business Professionals Are Choosing Doha
For many participants, Doha’s role as an emerging education and innovation hub – anchored by Qatar Foundation – is a key part of the program’s appeal. The city provides a unique environment where top-tier global institutions coexist with research centers, startups, and policy think tanks.
“I chose Doha to get a unique entry opportunity in the Middle East, which I believe has enormous potential,” says Pawel Marciniak, a Board Advisor and Senior Associate at a property development and management firm, who travels from Poland for the program. “I wanted to expand my network outside Europe and better understand the local culture. Every trip is worth it because I meet ambitious and welcoming people and learn concepts I can immediately apply at work.”
“Doha’s dynamic business environment and central location made it the ideal hub for my EMBA. Each module immerses me in a diverse, high-caliber learning experience that sharpens my thinking and expands my network. The Emerging Leaders Track is truly transformative”, said Hussein El Ajouz, Managing Director of a Kuwait-based marketing and communications agency.
For Anish Pasupathynath, an Indian national working in a leading ATM manufacturer in Kuwait, the ELT marked a major career milestone:
“What drew me in was the chance to learn from a dynamic cohort of leaders – people working in entrepreneurship, consulting, private equity, and government. The program combines the global HEC experience with the energy of Doha. It’s the best of both worlds.”
A Catalyst for Growth and Collaboration
Ankita B, an Indian national living in the UAE and working as a finance specialist, emphasized the program’s collaborative value:
“Each module in Doha is an opportunity to engage with top faculty, exchange ideas with diverse peers, and explore business trends shaping industries worldwide. The program also connects us to a highly supportive and influential alumni network, particularly in the Middle East, which is invaluable for career growth”.
For Hussein Al-Hunaidi, a Canadian management consultant at a global strategy firm, the program has already had tangible benefits:
“Throughout my career, I have been drawn to challenges that require navigating complexity, aligning diverse stakeholders, and driving transformation with clarity and purpose. The HEC Paris EMBA has been another step in that journey, giving me the space to refine how I approach high-stakes decisions and strengthen the impact I deliver across organizations. At its core, my leadership philosophy is about pairing strategic rigor with authenticity and values, ensuring performance never loses sight of people or purpose.”
Building a Lifelong Network
Graduates of the Executive MBA Emerging Leaders Track don’t just earn a degree – they gain lifelong access to one of the world’s most influential business networks. With over 80,000 alumni worldwide – including more than 1,500 based in the Gulf and representing 59 nationalities – HEC Paris offers a truly global community of peers, mentors, and collaborators.
With applications open year-round, the Doha campus continues to attract rising leaders who are ready to expand their impact, deepen their perspectives, and lead with purpose in today’s interconnected world.
