Sana Abdeljalil, 2004–5 participant (Tunisia)

Topics for training:

• Surviving in big corporations where you have to stand tough competition and harsh hierarchical pressures
• Managing your leadership skills for the benefit of the team (while working on group projects)
• Improving communication with supervisors and colleagues at work (looking for the best ways to exchange useful information)

I'm also interested in the topic of how a woman can succeed in a "man-centered" workplace.

Carole Abi Saad, 2005–6 participant (Lebanon)

Two topics that I personally find very interesting and important for alumnae are diversity and networking.

• Diversity: how to understand and respect others' beliefs, differences, etc.
• Networking: the importance of our network in our personal lives (new cultures, exchange of information) and our professional lives (exchange of expertise, best practices, new opportunities).

Nadine Saba, 2005–6 participant (Lebanon)

I consider the work we have done as providing self-knowledge, and self-assessment is one of the essential components that should be emphasized in our continuing learning. The leadership skills we got out of this program constitute a big plus. Another topic, also related to self-knowledge, is emotional intelligence, which can enable each one of us to know her capabilities in a better way and be more successful in life.

Riham El-Mograby, 2004–5 participant (Egypt)

The three topics/forms of training I see as most valuable after the MEPI-BIP program are—

• Networking opportunities and channels for outsourcing projects to the MENA region
• Intense training opportunities in project management, resource planning, and other management operations
• Maintaining continuing dialogue, meetings, and open discussion between all MEPI BIP participants and all their program contacts to strengthen their bonds and networking opportunities

Nidhal Hadiji, 2004–5 participant (Tunisia)

• Women's leadership in enterprises, particularly in fields
  dominated by men
• Communication skills: persuasive communication to lead change
• New management skills, particularly in accounting and finance, good governance, and marketing

Abeer Zubaidi, 2005–6 participant (Oman)

• Presenting with impact and public speaking: This is a major leadership skill. Being in human resources, I deal with many managers and it is clear that those with presentation skills have a deeper impact on people and therefore more success.
• How to start a small to medium business: This is an area of strong interest to most participants.
• Business etiquette: This is very important as it enhances business relations and is closely related to networking—a great need at this stage for us.

I would also strongly recommend some kind of certification or maybe membership in well-known associations, which will equip us with more creditability and provide us with a continuing learning resource and possibly professional discounts.

Also, it would be better to have at least two to three days of courses rather than one day that could provide hardly enough time to cover the basics (depending on the topic).

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