My Executive MBA Dubai Intensive Experience with Dr Gary Stockport
–Abiral Gupta, EMBA Batch 29
As I advanced in my profession, I learned that it takes more than just execution to be a leader. I needed to build a firm understanding of business frameworks and competitive thinking to influence product vision, guide complex ecosystems, and support strategic decision-making.
The EMBA with SP Jain Global became my way of stepping into that next level to gain and implement the learnings.
For me, this program allows me to go from ‘managing work’ to ‘Leading strategically’.
What pulled me to SP Jain Global was its balance of academics and practical, real-world learning. Every part of the curriculum is built with a lot of thought for application, and the global exposure brings a richness of perspective that you rarely find in a conventional EMBA program.
Pursuing an EMBA was one of the major decisions of my professional journey, and I recently realised it through attending the Strategic Management Intensive in Dubai, a highly rewarding learning opportunity led by Dean Gary Stockport. Over four days of intensive coursework, we were allowed to put our full-time jobs on hold and step into a classroom environment designed for enhanced experiential learning in Strategic Management. Under the guidance of Dean Dr Gary Stockport, strategy was no longer a concept in textbooks; instead, it became something we could see, feel, and apply.
Dr Gary opened the program with a simple yet memorable icebreaker activity that immediately brought the cohort together. That early interaction set the tone for the days ahead: energetic, engaging, and built on shared curiosity.
Across 12 sessions in 4 days, the learning felt fast-paced but never overwhelming.
What made the course stand out were the thoughtful teaching choices Dr Gary made throughout:
Real-life examples that grounded the theory
Instead of abstract models, he used real business cases, failures, and successes that made every concept relatable and rooted in the mind.
The 25-second rule
We were encouraged to express our thoughts crisply and clearly in under 25 seconds. It sharpened our communication, forced structured thinking, and made discussions far more productive.
Flip-board presentations and board exercises
Every group exercise required us to articulate concepts visually, present them quickly, and defend our perspectives. These moments sparked some of the most insightful debates.
Daily 10-minute revision
A small but powerful habit Dr Gary enforced. Revisiting the day’s learning made everything stick — something I now apply in my professional routine as well.
A teaching strategy that helps you to “see”
What I appreciated most was that Dr Gary doesn’t just explain frameworks. He makes you visualise them.
One line from him summarised this perfectly:
“Strategies are complex, but can we make it simple?”
That clarity made even complex ideas feel accessible and applicable.
Lunch breaks turned into informal mini workshops. We spoke about experiences from our industries, and connected with peers from other batches. These unstructured moments added depth to the entire experience.
It’s hard to list a few key takeaways when Dean Gary is teaching you every concept, every learning, every exercise and every discussion is a key takeaway. I would still try to list a few:
- Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA): Understanding what truly differentiates a business and how that moat is built and protected.
- Porter’s Five Forces: A powerful lens to diagnose industry structure and competitive pressures.
- Strategy Execution: Realising that strategy’s success depends on clarity, alignment, and discipline, not just planning.
- Simple, actionable frameworks: Tools that I can directly apply in my daily role leading product strategy.
- Move out of turbulence: this is a beautiful analogy from the Red Banor case study
The biggest shift has been in how I now think not just about products, but about markets, building strategy, making strategy simple, and long-term value creation.
Interacting with peers from different countries and industries was a highlight of the Dubai Intensive Experience. The diversity of thought sparked discussions and helped me appreciate strategy from viewpoints beyond my work. Those connections built over sessions, presentations, and even over shared lunches made the learning collaborative, memorable, and deeply human.
If you’re preparing for this journey, here is what I would share:
Come with an open mind and be ready to participate fully. The more you give to the program, the more it gives back to you. Reflect often, apply quickly, and don’t hesitate to learn from your cohort. One thing Dr Gary taught us on the very first day is to reflect on your daily learning and create a journal. It helps immensely; it enhances the learning experience.
About the author
Abiral Gupta is a Senior Product Owner at Norstella, a leading global provider of life science intelligence. He works closely with pharmaceutical organisations worldwide to enable data-driven, fact-based strategic decision-making. With a strong focus on cross-functional collaboration, Abiral helps transform complex life science information into forward-looking product solutions that shape the future of healthcare.
Recommended Reads:
Unlearning to lead: How the EMBA changed my view of technology and leadership
From curiosity to clarity: My Executive MBA journey with SP Jain Global
