Driven by a passion for organisational development and leadership, Yousef pursued a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), a journey that led him to make lasting impact in the UAE’s public sector.
Dr Yousef Mohammed E. Alunuaimi chose to pursue a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Central Lancashire, now known as the University of Lancashire, to deepen his understanding of how research can be applied to real-world organisational challenges. His studies helped him better understand how research can be applied to real-world business challenges.
The DBA aligned perfectly with Yousef’s career goals, allowing him to strengthen his research and analytical skills. This enabled him to to address key areas in the public sector. Such areas included employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, and organisational culture.
After graduating, Yousef progressed into a Training and Development Manager role in a UAE federal government entity. There, he oversaw the design and implementation of national training programmes, competency frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives. These were aimed at focusing on talent development and institutional performance. He also led the Financial Market Pioneers Program and other key projects in his role. These were in succession planning, leadership development, and knowledge management aligned with ISO standards. His contributions helped strengthen global certification partnerships and enhance employee engagement through training. They also helped to promote a culture of e-learning across the organisation.
Reflecting on his time at the University, Yousef said: “Meeting with my professors to conduct a mock viva before the final defence was incredibly valuable; it helped me refine my arguments, anticipate challenging questions, and build the confidence I needed for the real viva. This experience not only strengthened my academic skills but also left a lasting impression of how meaningful mentorship and preparation can be in achieving success.”
"I still remember how supportive and insightful my professors were; they created an environment that encouraged critical thinking while also motivating me to perform at my best."
— Dr Yousef Mohammed E. Alunuaimi, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) graduate
Since graduating, Yousef has achieved numerous personal and professional milestones. One of his proudest moments was presenting a copy of his doctoral research to His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
Yousef went on to publish his research in the European Journal of Marketing and Economics. This further bolstered his academic credibility and contribution to the organisational development field. His research has since been recognised within society and across online networks such as LinkedIn. This has led to collaborations with other researchers and opportunities to co-publish papers on employee engagement and organisational development.
“It has also allowed me to participate in several recognized conferences in the field of Employee Engagement, where I have shared insights and exchanged knowledge with leading academics and practitioners.” Yousef said.
When asked if he had any advice to future students, Yousef said: “Combine academic knowledge with practical experience. Focus on building strong analytical and communication skills, stay curious, and keep learning from every project or challenge you face. Finally, surround yourself with mentors and coaches, keep up with the latest research and best practices, and approach every task with professional integrity and passion for developing others. That’s what transforms a job in training and development into a lifelong mission of empowering people and shaping the future of organisations.”
