The Italian tradition combined with the new luxury markets of the Gulf region. This is the objective of the master on luxury (Global Executive Master in Luxury Management) launched today in Dubai by the Mip Politecnico di Milano, in collaboration with the Australian university Wollongong. Another stage in Italy's journey towards Expo 2020 which will open its doors on 20 October and a concrete example of the great operation of scientific and cultural diplomacy that Italy will bring to the Dubai exhibition. The 18-month program, which will start in March, is aimed at professionals with at least 5 years of experience, interested in further exploring the world of luxury.
A master's degree in which students will be able to obtain a double degree, Emirate and European. "Luxury is one of the sectors in which Italy has a strong tradition. We want to continue studying to protect and cultivate crafts, heritage and luxury in general", said Alessandro Brun, professor of management engineering and director of the master's degree. The idea behind the creation of this program is linked to the development of the Dubai luxury industry which is changing the landscape. "We realize that it doesn't matter if the participants will work for an Italian brand or another; they must be aware of what is happening in this part of the world," said Brun referring to the Gulf. Participants will begin their studies in Dubai, then travel to the luxury capitals of Milan, Paris or Geneva as the eight modules of the program will take place both in the United Arab Emirates and in Europe. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in luxury shopping and factory visits, exhibitions and fairs in the sector to acquire exposure to the luxury sectors and at the end of the program they will have to manage the project of a company that will then presented in Dubai.
"Before the 90s, luxury was for the elite, but now it has become a mass distribution of an elite product," added Brun. "We already have a master's program in luxury, but something of the new luxury was missing and Dubai represents that example of what luxury is today," said Professor Andrea Sianesi, president of the Milan Polytechnic Foundation. According to strategic consulting firm Bain & Company, the luxury goods and services market is valued at $ 1.35 trillion globally and is expected to increase. The UAE luxury market alone is expected to reach $ 14.9 billion by 2023, as it is the largest operator in the luxury sector for the Gulf countries. Millennials have been particularly wary of luxury in Dubai. "We have been big luxury consumers for a long time, so it will be interesting to have that kind of experience here. Maybe eventually we will have some great brands that will emerge from this region," commented Rami, a future student who currently works in the technology sector at Dubai. "Luxury management is a model that attracts a lot in the field of higher education all over the world," said Expo2020 Commissioner General for Italy, Paolo Glisenti, present at the launch of the master. In the context of Expo 2020, the commissioner said that the number of participating Italian companies is between 40 and 50 and is increasing. They will not only be high-level companies, but also small and medium-sized ones, he added on the sidelines of the launch of the master. (