AUS students to experience being CEO for a day

Four students from American University of Sharjah (AUS) are set to experience being Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a major international firm through the CEOx1Day Challenge, an initiative of Odgers Berndtson Middle East.

Eight talented university students from across the UAE have been chosen as finalists in the Challenge and will now be given the opportunity to shadow leaders in some of the Emirates' best known and widely respected firms, including Jaguar, Land Rover, OSN, Dubai Tourism and Siemens. Students were chosen through a vigorous selection process, which included interviews and psychometric testing, uncovering candidates who demonstrated the potential and ambition to be strong leaders in challenging circumstances. The successful students are being given the opportunity to shadow CEOs from major corporate and government organizations, gaining an understanding of what it is like to be a leader in a globally orientated, 21st Century firm.

Of the eight successful students who made the finals, four are from AUS, including:

• Ahmad Azari, majoring in chemical engineering and chemistry, who will shadow Martin Stewart, CEO of OSN, the direct-broadcast satellite provider serving the Middle East and North Africa.  
• Ajith Roy, a finance major, will be mentored by Bruce Robertson, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover.
• Aysha AlSharhan, another finance major, will be led by Ahmad AlFalasi, CEO, Corporate Services and Investment, Dubai Tourism.
• Rohan Bhatia, also majoring in finance, will learn from Dietmar Siersdorfer, CEO of Siemens Middle East & Siemens LLC UAE.

"I was ecstatic when I heard that I had been selected to shadow Bruce Robertson, MD of Land Rover and Jaguar MENA," said finalist Ajith Roy. "Being a petrol-head with a love for Range Rovers, I believe this is the perfect opportunity to stand side-by-side and witness the decisions made by Land Rover's leader in the region. I'm sure that this experience will definitely enable me to see the automotive industry with a new perspective."

According to Odgers Berndtson Middle East, this initiative is a pivotal stepping stone for students with the confidence, drive and ambition to be leaders of the future. Each student will have the opportunity to probe the knowledge of their CEOs and find out the intricate workings of a company and how they excel. For those who wish to start their own businesses, this will be their chance to gain advice from CEOs as to what requirements are needed to be a leader, start a company, develop a team or successfully obtain funding.

AUS Chancellor, Björn Kjerfve is delighted to see AUS so well represented in the finals. He says:

"We are enormously proud that so many of the finalists in the CEOX1Day Challenge are currently studying at AUS. Having half of the finalists coming from AUS demonstrates the quality of the students we have here, and the ambition of our students to make an impact in the business world. AUS focuses on giving its students the skills and experience they need to be successful in the world of work, and this competition is an excellent way to introduce students to the capabilities and knowledge that they will need to strive in their future careers.

More information can be found at www.ceox1day.ae