Franklin–MCBS Alumni Gathering Showcases CEOs Driving Oman Vision 2040

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Columbus, OH and Muscat, Oman – Franklin University, a national leader in career-focused and globally delivered education, is celebrating the transformative impact of graduates from its Franklin–MCBS MBA program following a high-profile alumni gathering held in Muscat, Oman. The event brought together more than a decade of graduates from the first and only American MBA program hosted in Oman, highlighting how Franklin alumni are helping advance Oman Vision 2040 through leadership, innovation, and economic development.

Franklin MBA Alumni Leading National Projects and Innovation in Oman
The alumni gathering honored the program’s significant achievements since its launch in partnership with the Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS) in 2012. Among the attendees were five alumni who now serve as CEOs, each contributing to Oman’s national goals for diversification, infrastructure enhancement, and technology-enabled services.

Key leaders recognized include:
•    Four MBA alumni serving as CEOs driving major Oman Vision 2040 initiatives, overseeing projects in infrastructure, strategic development, workforce advancement, and sector innovation.
•    Mr. Harith Khamis Humaid Al Maqbali, CEO of OTaxi, who is redefining mobility in Oman by expanding digital transportation access for thousands of residents and visitors.

These milestones reflect the program’s ongoing mission to prepare working professionals in Oman with U.S.-accredited, globally relevant MBA skills that meet the region’s evolving economic and innovation needs.

A U.S.–Oman Partnership Delivering Global Leadership Outcomes
Miss Aisha Al Kharusi, Deputy Executive Chairperson, Modern College of Business and Science, reflected on the event. “It’s always inspiring to see our MBA students and alumni come together to exchange ideas, gain insights, and build networks that shape the future of leadership in Oman. Education remains one of our greatest tools for transformation and gatherings like these remind us how far we’ve come and how much more we can achieve together.”

Dr. Godfrey Mendes, Senior Vice President for Global Programs & Strategic Initiatives at Franklin University, highlighted the impact of the partnership. “Our collaboration with MCBS demonstrates the power of global education. To see Franklin MBA alumni now serving as CEOs and national leaders is evidence of how American business education can support Oman’s long-term economic development and innovation goals.”

Dr. Alyncia Bowen, Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, added perspective on the program’s academic mission: “This program exemplifies how high-quality, student-centered academic experiences can meet workforce needs and build leadership capacity in regions experiencing rapid transformation.”

MCBS Dean Dr. Moosa Al Kindi reflected on the shared vision behind the program: “The Franklin–MCBS MBA combines international best practices with a strong understanding of Oman’s local context. Our graduates are contributing to Oman Vision 2040 through leadership that is both globally informed and locally grounded.”

Spotlight on Innovation in Oman
OTaxi CEO and Franklin MBA alumnus Harith Al Maqbali shared how the program shaped his entrepreneurial journey, noting that the Franklin–MCBS MBA strengthened his strategic thinking and leadership abilities. These skills, he explained, helped him transform OTaxi from a local startup into a nationwide mobility platform delivering innovative, accessible transportation solutions across Oman.

Underscoring the Franklin MBA’s international influence, a high-level panel discussion brought together three accomplished alumni and a current student to explore their contributions to Oman’s Vision 2040. Panelists included Mahmood Al Rashdi, CEO of Al Madina Logistics; Talib Al Rashdi, CEO of Frontier Technologies; and Abdul Aziz Jaafar, CEO of ETCO Space. The discussion was moderated by H.H. Khalid Al Said, current Franklin MBA student, and CEO of Muscat Sky Development.

In addition to a strong turnout of MBA alumni, Franklin University’s leadership team attended the gathering, including Dr. Godfrey Mendes, Senior Vice President for Global Programs & Strategic Initiatives; Dr. Alyncia Bowen, Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs; and Dr. Sherry Mercurio, Executive Director of the Office of Community Relations. Their participation underscored Franklin’s ongoing commitment to supporting global learners and strengthening international partnerships that produce meaningful, long-term impact.

About the Franklin–MCBS MBA Program
Launched in 2012, the joint MBA program between Franklin University (USA) and MCBS (Oman) is the first American MBA program delivered entirely in Oman. Designed for working professionals, the program:

•    Offers a U.S.-accredited MBA without leaving Oman
•    Emphasizes applied leadership, strategic analysis, and global business skills
•    Prepares graduates for executive and entrepreneurial roles across sectors
•    Supports workforce development goals aligned with Oman Vision 2040

The program has produced hundreds of leaders who are contributing to Oman’s transformation in both the public and private sectors.

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).