The Dubai Business Internships (DBI) Class of 2016 today celebrated graduating from the prestigious initiative run under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

A total of 35 interns - from China, Kazakhstan, Russia and the United States - graduated from the intensive 10-month fully-funded course helped with by Falcon and Associates that includes work placements with Dubai's leading industrial and government entities, scholastic training, in addition to a concentrate on cultural understanding.

" We are very happy to see our 2nd year of interns make their mark in Dubai and graduate ready for the office," stated James Maughan, Director of Dubai Business Internships at Falcon and Associates, at the event held at Dubai International Financial Centre Conference Centre.

" At its core, DBI serves as a bridge, preparing the interns to make the successful action from college into their all-important first job. It has actually been extremely satisfying to be part of their journey and to not only watch them grow and learn, but to likewise witness them making an incredible impact in companies throughout Dubai. Our Placement Partners are the bedrock of the programme, offering training and mentorship, and we are delighted that their dedication has been rewarded through the interns making important contributions to their organisations.

" We look forward to staying in touch with the interns through our alumni network and it is encouraging to currently see them embracing the function of cultural ambassadors for Dubai. Ultimately, the success of DBI will be determined by what is achieved by the alumni in the future and we have great confidence in them."

DBI combines a 26-week work placement, with training modules delivered by world-class education experts, the European School of Management and Technology, working in partnership with regional suppliers Capadev and Bon Education. DBI likewise includes an extensive programme of cultural exchange activities.

Speaking at the ceremony as an agent of the DBI Placement Partners, Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO, Emirates NBD Asset Management, stated: "Emirates NBD Asset Management is extremely happy to be a supporter of this programme. The interns have actually been invaluable, helping us acquire cultural understandings to engage more effectively with key global markets. Organisations throughout Dubai are always searching for extraordinary talent and we anticipate more future business leaders joining us once again next year."

In participation at the event were senior representatives from the other DBI Placement Partners, consisting of: Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Dubai International Financial Centre Courts (DIFC Courts), DP World, Emirates Group, Emaar, Emirates NBD, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) and Jumeirah Group.