Current Programs: Middle East and North Africa
| Middle East Entrepreneur Training (MEET) |
The Beyster Institute designed and is managing an innovative program that identifies, develops and sustains a new core of business leaders from 16 countries and territories in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. MEET is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
The program helps MENA region leaders improve their managerial and entrepreneurial leadership skills through training, professional networking and alumni support systems. Promising business leaders are realizing their aspirations to build successful, growing enterprises that contribute to economic growth and community well being in the MENA region. Participation by women and youth is highly encouraged.
The Participants
MEET uses an interview process to select participants who have demonstrated leadership ability in their companies and communities. Those chosen for the MEET program are talented, high-potential entrepreneurs, executives and managers in growth-oriented companies.
Participants hail from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, The United Arab Emirates, West Bank/Gaza and Yemen.
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"I've attended many training programs and this one topped them all ... I feel like I've grown as a person.
I have a better perspective now. It's like the pieces
fell into place."
Tala Al mauge, Jordan
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The Training
About 25 people are selected to participate in each sector-specific session. Customized sessions are offered for the information, communication and technology (ICT) and business services sectors.
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2005 - 2007 participants traveled to San Diego, California for three weeks of intensive training and networking led by the Beyster Institute staff and faculty from local universities, as well as entrepreneurs and leaders of successful companies. The highly interactive programs, encouraged the sharing of expertise and participation in group projects and discussions. Two-day internships with companies in the participants' respective fields and visits to San Diego companies were included. Nearly 150 participants have graduated from the program. |
2008 training programs and events:
MEET CSO Leadership Follow-On Workshop
MEET Senior Executvie Seminar
Resource Mobilization Training for the Leaders of Civil Society Organizations (MEET-CSO)
In addition to sector-specific programs, MEPI in conjunction with the Beyster Institute offers training for the leaders of Civil Society Organizations. In these specialized programs, civil society leaders develop entrepreneurial skills to help them achieve their social missions. Click here for more about this training.
MEET Regional Events
MEET graduates are offered ongoing development opportunities. In May 2005 the Institute presented the MENA Business Women's Summit in Tunis, Tunisia, for the region's prominent and emerging women entrepreneurs.
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MEET alumni and other businesswomen in the region were joined by American entrepreneurs who are members of Women Entrepreneurs, Inc., and officials from the U.S. and Tunisian governments for the three-day conference. The conference addressed the varied challenges of female entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa. Attendees identified the opportunity to network with women entrepreneurs from Arab countries as one of the most valued experiences during the conference. |
In November, 2005, MEET graduates attended a two-day Alumni Conference in Manama, Bahrain. Attendees renewed friendships made during their training in San Diego, California, received additional entrepreneurship training and took advantage of the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs from the region. By the end of the conference, participants were making plans for the creation of their own support network.
Nearly 250 business women from the MENA region joined executives from the United States in Abu Dhabi, UAE for the 2006 MENA Businesswomen's Summit in October 2006. The event managed by the Beyster Institute and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
In June 2008 almuni of two
Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State programs convened in Dead Sea, Jordan. Attendees were graduates of two MEPI-funded programs: the Legal and Business Fellowship Program (LBFP) managed by America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) and the Beyster Institute’s own Middle East Entrepreneur Training (MEET) program.
Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Bahrain
The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Bahrain (CEEB) was established in November 2005. The Beyster Institute was the lead consultant for this Center, which was established to identify and develop Bahrani and Gulf States' entrepreneurs, enhance a culture of entrepreneurship in the region, and address research and policy issues that increase the understanding of and support for entrepreneurs in the region. CEEB was an initiative of the G-8 and the Forum for the Future that was funded through June 2007.
MEET Alumni web site
The Middle East Entrepreneur Training (MEET) Alumni website is designed as a community for over 250 alumni of the MEET program.
The experience of meeting new and exciting colleagues is an integral part of the training program, and the MEET Alumni website provides the tools that will help foster these relationships and make new contacts.
The site is now available in Arabic, French, and English and is updated with new information on a regular basis. For more about the site see MEET Alumni Website Progress.
Outcomes
 The Beyster Institute's programs are accelerating economic growth in
the Middle East and North Africa region. Since 2003, the Institute has managed the entrepreneurship development programs described above and subsequently won an additional contract to continue the MEET program with MEPI. Additional training programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of civil society organizations in the MENA region are scheduled
in 2008.
Shown at the left is a portion of a map that helps summarize the MEET program's accomplishments to date. Download the PDF file for a full view of the map. Further details are presented in the article Illustrating the Outcomes of Middle East Enterpreneur Training (MEET).
ARTICLES
Illustrating the Outcomes of Middle East Entrepreneur Training (MEET)
Study Finds Employee Ownership Improves Performance of Newly Privatized Businesses
MEET Alumni Website Progress
MEET Alumni Profile: Samer Al Jabari of Jordan
MEET Alumni Share Successes
Common Ground on Opposite Sides of the Globe
Network Building for MENA business women
Women offered skills chance
BIBF workshop boosts skills of businesswomen
UCSD program brings international business people to Vista
MEET U.S. Alumnus Brings Employee Ownership to his Jordanian Company
MEET U.S. Alumni Conference Review Part II: Participants Unite for Entrepreneurship Advocacy
MEET U.S. Alumni Convene in Bahrain
Preparing Leaders for More: MEET U.S. Alumnus Update
PRESS RELEASES
Middle East and North African Business, Legal and Civil Society Leaders Strenghthen Their Regional Network
Business and Civil Society Leaders from the Middle East and North Africa Meet in Casablanca to Enhance Entrepreneurship and Plan for Social Change
Middle East Entrepreneur Training Program Seeks Exceptional Business and Civil Society Leaders
Mideast Entrepreneurs Gather in Bahrain for Training, Networking
Book to Feature 12 Middle Eastern and North African Entrepreneurs
Meet 15 MEET U.S. participants: Profiles of Middle Eastern and North African Entrepreneurs
Beyster Institute Offers Entrepreneurship Training to Further Middle East Reform Efforts
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