News@Ivey · Khushi Patel

Designed for the long term: Lessons from the Ivey MBA study trip to Dubai

Feb 23, 2026

Group Shot Resized — The MBA group in Dubai

MBA ’26 candidate Khushi Patel reflects on the recent Ivey MBA study trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where visits with energy, logistics, and urban development leaders highlighted how long-term vision, culture, and strategy shape decision-making at scale.

Dubai: A city built on long-term vision

Dubai is a city that defies small thinking. Everything about it, from the infrastructure, the ambition, and the pace, forces you to zoom out. That perspective shaped my experience throughout the Ivey MBA Dubai study trip. It wasn’t just the organizations we visited that stood out, but the way strategy, innovation, and long-term vision are embedded into decision-making.

It quickly became clear to me that Dubai is not simply reacting to global trends – it is the trendsetter. Across energy, logistics, finance, and urban development, organizations in Dubai are actively designing their future by balancing commercial performance with national priorities.

Seeing strategy at scale

One of the most impactful experiences of the trip was working on our course-based business challenge with ACWA Power. This included discussions with Lana El Chaar, Vice President of Talent Management and Capability Building, and Ozgur Serin, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy, as well as a visit to the Noor Energy 1 solar plant. Standing at the site of one of the largest solar power projects in the world made sustainability feel concrete in a way it often doesn’t in classrooms or case discussions.

What resonated most wasn’t just the technology, but the coordination required to make something like this possible. Governments, private companies, financiers, and operators all had to be aligned on the same goal, over many years, with a long-term commitment to bring this project to life. It made me realize that real progress at this scale depends less on innovation alone and more on the systems and relationships that hold it together over time.

Rethinking efficiency

One of our visits in Dubai was to DP World, a global logistics company that operates ports, terminals, and supply chain infrastructure worldwide. What became clear was how much intention goes into something most of us take for granted. DP World isn’t just moving containers from one place to another – it’s constantly refining how goods flow, how delays are avoided, and how information moves alongside physical cargo. The biggest lesson for me was that impact doesn’t always come from visible disruption.

Through initiatives like BoxBay, a vertical container storage system, the organization is rethinking how space, time, and data are used within port operations. Rather than expanding physical footprints, the system improves throughput and efficiency within existing constraints. The key takeaway was that competitive advantage in mature industries often comes from finding smarter ways to work within limits rather than simply scaling outward.

Culture and innovation in Abu Dhabi

Our day trip to Abu Dhabi felt like a shift in pace in the best way. Visiting Qasr Al Watan was the first moment when that feeling really set in. Walking through the palace, I was struck by the openness of the space and the level of detail in the architecture. Everything felt intentional, from the symmetry to the light, and it created a quiet sense of awe. It was not just impressive to look at, but reflective of how deeply culture and history are valued.

That sense of balance continued throughout the day. At Masdar City, the experience shifted from tradition to innovation. Riding the self-driving transit system was unexpectedly fun, but what struck me was how naturally technology was integrated into daily life. Masdar did not feel like a distant vision of the future. It felt practical, human, and thoughtfully designed, showing how innovation can coexist with sustainable living.

The day ended at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which was deeply grounding. The stillness of the space, the scale of the architecture, and the openness to visitors created a sense of peace that I did not expect. Standing there, I felt both small and connected, aware of history, culture, and beauty all at once. Abu Dhabi reminded me that progress does not always need to be fast or loud. Sometimes it is quiet, intentional, and deeply rooted – a reminder that stayed with me long after we left.

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