Middlesex University Dubai and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), the world’s largest professional body for procurement and supply, have made a collaboration agreement to advance the procurement and supply chain profession.The collaboration was announced at the Procurement and Supply Chain Symposium on 31 October at MDX Dubai. The symposium’s theme ‘Preparing Next Generation Procurement and Supply Chain Leaders’ provided insights into the procurement and supply chain skills needed to navigate today’s complex business environment.It featured top industry speakers Sam Achampong, Regional Director, CIPS AMEA; Hariharan Laxminarayan, Head of Professional Development, CIPS MENA; Sneha Susan, Head of Supply Chain Development, The Kraft Heinz Company; Faiq Ali, Procurement Director and ISO Lead Auditor; and Varun Malik, CEO, Konsalidön.  They explored various initiatives aimed at equipping graduates and industry professionals with dynamic skills and competencies needed to excel in this field. The event was moderated by Dr Sreejith Balasubramanian, Associate Professor within the Business School and Head of the Centre for Supply Chain Excellence, MDX Dubai; and Mahnoush Gharehdash, Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management, MDX Dubai.Additionally, MDX Dubai’s BA Business Management, Daytime MBA, and Executive MBA supply chain pathways have achieved the prestigious CIPS accreditation, allowing graduates from these programmes to apply for MCIPS status upon demonstrating at least three years of relevant work experience.Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University and Director of Middlesex University Dubai said, “The employability of our graduates is our key focus, and this partnership will help us achieve that. Our graduates will be able to make impactful contributions from day one in their professional roles.” Dr Sreejith said: “The CIPS accreditation validates the rigour and industry relevance of our programmes, ensuring our students are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the procurement and supply chain sector. This accreditation not only enhances our graduates’ employability but also aligns our curriculum with globally recognised standards in procurement and supply chain.”All of our CIPS accredited programmes are currently accepting applications for students to start in January. Apply today.

A highly anticipated panel discussion on bribery, corruption, and corporate compliance took place at Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai on Monday 25 November 2025, bringing together experts to explore the challenges and opportunities organisations face in combatting corruption.The session focused on the story of Richard Bistrong, CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery LLC, and how in 2009 he was imprisoned for 18 months after being charged with violations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).The panel also featured the man who led the investigation and brought the charges against him, Ronald Machen, former US Attorney and now partner at WilmerHale. The panel was completed by former special agent for Homeland Security and current president at Guidepost Solutions, John Torres, and moderated by Elvis Angyiembe, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the MEACA Compliance Association.Richard spoke candidly about the pressures he faced early in his international sales career, when he was confronted with the decision to either comply with ethical standards or secure business success through third party bribery. He highlighted the “slippery slope” that begins with seemingly small ethical compromises and stressed the importance of company CEOs setting the tone for compliance throughout the organisation. Richard was involved in trade and FCPA violations that led to him, when confronted by Ronald and the Department of Justice, co-operating with law enforcement, mitigating his sentence and resulting in many others being imprisoned.The panel discussed how workplace risk and the commercial mindset have evolved since Richard’s prosecution. While certain challenges remain, there have been significant changes in the expectations regulators have of corporations, emphasising the critical role that business leaders, particularly the C-suite and Board, must play in ensuring compliance. The importance of well-designed compliance programmes was also highlighted, with the panel noting that such programmes must not only exist on paper but also be functional in practice.Ronald spoke about how compliance is about more than just training employees to understand the rules; it is about instilling a culture that prioritises ethical behaviour and ensures that everyone from the ground up is aligned with the company’s values.John discussed the growing sophistication of compliance tools, including programmes that track cryptocurrency transactions, and the importance of staying ahead of new forms of financial crime. He also pointed out the significance of involving the people operations team in compliance efforts.During the event, Professor Tenia Kyriazi, Deputy Director of Teaching & Learning, Law and Sciences Head of Law and Politics at MDX Dubai, said: “Thank you to our guests for such insightful contributions. It is events like this that make a difference, as they put laws and regulations into a practical perspective for students and the wider community. “Universities have an instrumental role to play in fostering a culture of compliance and ethics and I am happy that, our students, future compliance officers, are attending this event today. “At Middlesex University Dubai, we are committed to offering a holistic education that exposes students to the real world and engages them with professionals and the wider community.”The session was organised by Samantha Roberts, Head of the Juris Centre of Excellence for Legal Education and Training, CPC Undergraduate Law & Politics, in partnership with the Middle East and Africa Compliance Association (MEACA).Juris provides a platform for a wide range of quality legal education initiatives and professional training activities across the region and internationally, connecting students with leading industry professionals. Are you interested in studying law at MDX Dubai?

Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai hosted a symposium on Wednesday 21 November, with the title and aim of Advancing Environmental Conservation for Future Generations.The event provided a platform for discussions focused on sustainability, environmental stewardship, and conservation. Faculty, students, and industry leaders gathered to hear the keynote addresses, panel discussions, and visions for the future of environmental preservation.The symposium included distinguished speakers Dr Waleed Shaaban, CEO of Emirates Park Zoo & Resort; Dr Mike Cheetham, Sustainability Manager at Hotpack Global; Marsenia Trinanda Haris, Manager of Education, Conservation, and Research at Emirates Park Zoo & Resort; and Andrew Mackenzie, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Institute for Sustainable Development, MDX Dubai.These leaders shared their expertise on how businesses and institutions can drive sustainability through actionable strategies, including reducing carbon footprints and championing environmental awareness. The event, organised by Sony Sreejith, Business Lecturer, MDX Dubai and Mahnoush Gharehdash, Supply Chain Management Lecturer, MDX Dubai, was another benefit of the Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) MDX Dubai has with Hotpack Global and Emirates Park Zoo & Resort. These partnerships strengthen the university’s commitment to sustainability and conservation awareness, benefiting students and faculty by providing real-world insights.This symposium marked the university’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of environmental responsibility. It was an opportunity for students to engage directly with industry leaders and gain a deeper understanding of how they can contribute to global sustainability efforts. The event also saw the launch of the Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Club by the student body. The club aims to bridge academic and practical knowledge through activities such as field visits, workshops with ecological experts, and real-world conservation projects, where students can gain hands-on experience with the tools and frameworks used in biodiversity reporting. MDX Dubai remains committed to its mission of nurturing environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainability. The university offers an MA in Global Governance and Sustainable Development. There are places available to start on this course in January – apply now.