In December 16, 2009, the school graduated its first cohort of 32 students in an intensive, one-year Master of Public Administration program. Designed for mid-level public sector professionals, the MPA program trains students in the theory and techniques of public sector management, and to help them better understand the political and social context in which public policies are designed and implemented and public services are provided. The MPA was conducted "in coordination with"
Harvard Kennedy School’s Faculty Advisory Committee, although there was little contact between the two schools and the formal affiliation ended in 2011. The MPA degree is awarded by DSG, not by Harvard University. DSG offers an Executive Diploma in Public Administration (EDPA) in partnership with the
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the
National University of Singapore. All DSG academic programs are accredited by the
UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Executive education The school conducts customized and open executive education programs through its faculty and in affiliation with
Harvard Kennedy School at
Harvard University and the
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the
National University of Singapore. Executive education clients have included organizations within the Dubai Government, as well as governments throughout the Arab world. In May 2008, the school signed a
Memorandum of Understanding to provide academic and training programs for Egyptian government officials. A similar agreement was reached in July 2008 with the Government of Syria, and discussions are ongoing with officials in other governments throughout the Arab world. ==Public affairs==