DBA Islamic Frameworks for Sustainability and Digitalisation

Send an email

Other Courses

Get directions

Overview

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Islamic Frameworks for Sustainability and Digitalisation

Duration: 3–4 Years Full-Time [4-6 Part Time]
Level: FHEQ Level 8 (Doctoral)
Credit Framework: Not typically credit-rated (aligned to 360 UK credits where applicable)
ECTS Equivalent: 180–240 ECTS
Mode of Delivery: Hybrid (Online/Onsite at different locations across the world)

Overview

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Islamic Frameworks for Sustainability and Digitalisation (DBA IFSD), developed for LISD, is an advanced professional doctorate designed to equip senior practitioners, managers, and leaders with the strategic and analytical capabilities required to address contemporary sustainability and digital transformation challenges through Islamic ethical, economic, and governance perspectives.

While the programme is grounded in a global business and organisational context, it places particular emphasis on the application of Islamic principles to real-world managerial, corporate, and policy environments. It examines how Islamic frameworks can inform sustainable business practices, responsible leadership, and ethical decision-making across sectors such as finance, governance, technology, education, and social enterprise.

The programme provides a structured and practice-oriented exploration of the intersection between Islamic values and sustainable business development, focusing on key areas such as corporate responsibility, environmental sustainability, social equity, and innovation. It also critically engages with the impact of digital transformation—including artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and digital economies—on organisational strategy and sustainability outcomes.

In addition, the programme engages with global sustainability and governance frameworks, including those promoted by the United Nations (UN), while critically assessing their relevance and alignment with Islamic ethical principles in business and management contexts. It encourages applied research that addresses real organisational challenges and contributes to policy, strategy, and leadership development in the digital era.

Through practitioner-led and supervised research, candidates will develop advanced applied research skills and produce original, practice-based contributions to knowledge. Graduates will emerge as strategic leaders, consultants, and senior professionals capable of integrating Islamic frameworks with contemporary business and sustainability challenges, contributing effectively to organisations, industries, and global development agendas.

A One of-a-Kind Initiative

The DBA IFSD is an advanced professional doctorate that equips senior practitioners and leaders to address sustainability and digital transformation challenges through Islamic ethical, legal, and socio-economic perspectives within organisational and global business contexts.

The programme enables candidates to critically engage with global sustainability and governance agendas, including those advanced by the UN, by examining their relevance alongside Islamic principles of justice, stewardship, and responsible leadership. It explores how these principles can inform ethical decision-making, sustainable business practices, and inclusive organisational development in the digital era.

Adopting both horizontal (global business systems and stakeholder engagement) and vertical (organisational structures and leadership frameworks) perspectives, the programme provides a structured understanding of SD within corporate, institutional, and policy environments.

Through applied and practice-based research, candidates will investigate key areas such as digital governance, artificial intelligence in business, Islamic finance, corporate sustainability, and social innovation. The programme emphasises the integration of Islamic ethical frameworks with contemporary management practice and technological advancement.
Graduates will produce original, practice-oriented research and emerge as strategic leaders and professionals capable of applying Islamic frameworks to real-world organisational challenges, contributing to sustainable development across business, policy, and industry in the digital age.

Related Sustainable Development Goals

Related Courses

Location

London Institute of Sustainable Development (LISD), London, United Kingdom

Get Directions

Country/Regions

Europe
UK

Social Networks

Related Sustainable Development Goals

What will you learn

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate originality in research and make a significant contribution to knowledge in Islamic frameworks and SD.
Critically integrate Islamic principles with contemporary sustainability and digital transformation discourses.
Address complex global challenges using interdisciplinary and ethically informed approaches.
Produce high-quality doctoral research that meets international academic and professional standards.
Contribute to policy, practice, and scholarly debates in sustainability, ethics, and digital innovation.
Exhibit autonomy, integrity, and leadership in academic and professional contexts.

Knowledge and Understanding

Critically evaluate Islamic frameworks for SD in a digital context.
Analyse global sustainability agendas and their alignment with Islamic principles.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of digital transformation and its societal impacts.

Cognitive, Intellectual or Thinking Skills

Synthesise interdisciplinary perspectives to address complex sustainability challenges.
Critically assess policies, frameworks, and ethical implications of digital innovation.
Formulate original research questions and theoretical contributions.

Practical, Professional or Subject-specific Skills

Design and conduct independent, rigorous doctoral research.
Apply Islamic ethical principles to real-world sustainability and policy contexts.
Develop evidence-based recommendations for organisations and decision-makers.

Technical or Information Technology Skills

Utilise advanced digital tools for data analysis and research.
Critically evaluate emerging technologies in sustainability contexts.
Manage and interpret complex datasets using appropriate software.

Transferable, Key or Personal Skills

Communicate complex ideas effectively to academic and professional audiences.
Demonstrate leadership, autonomy, and ethical responsibility in research.
Engage in critical reflection and lifelong learning.

Programme Structure

Support for Student Learning

The programme provides comprehensive support to ensure a successful and engaging learning experience:

Academic and Research Support – Structured supervisory guidance, research seminars, doctoral workshops, and one-to-one supervision support candidates in developing research design, critical analysis, and thesis development at Level 8 standard.
Methodological and Scholarly Development – Targeted support in advanced research methodologies, academic writing, literature synthesis, and publication development to ensure originality and rigour in doctoral research.
Technical and Digital Research Support – Access to digital libraries, research databases, data analysis tools, and online platforms enables effective data management, analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Doctoral Skills and Professional Development – Support for academic leadership, research communication, conference participation, and publication preparation to enhance scholarly and professional capability.
Inclusive Research Environment – Provision of reasonable adjustments, accessibility support, and wellbeing services to ensure equitable participation and sustained doctoral progression.
Progress Monitoring and Feedback – Continuous formative feedback through supervisory meetings, milestone reviews, and formal progression assessments ensures structured academic development and readiness for thesis submission and viva voce examination.

LISD Supervision Support Structure

LISD provides doctoral candidates with expert supervision aligned to their approved DBA research title.
Supervisors are allocated by LISD based on subject specialism, research relevance, and methodological expertise.
Candidates may also be matched with co-supervisors where interdisciplinary input is required.
LISD maintains a diverse pool of internationally experienced supervisors from both academia and industry, ensuring strong academic rigour and practical relevance.
Supervision is delivered through structured, regular academic guidance to support progression through all DBA phases, including proposal, research, and thesis completion.

Programme Structure

Phase	Focus Area	Key Activities/Components	Assessment Output	Progression Outcome
Phase 1: Research Proposal and Registration	Research foundation and approval	Title finalisation, abstract, introduction, problem statement, objectives, initial literature review, methodology design, significance, references	Full research proposal submission and proposal viva	Approval for doctoral registration
Phase 2: Literature Review Development	Theoretical and conceptual grounding	Critical literature review, theoretical frameworks, identification of research gaps, conceptual framework development, Islamic and sustainability integration	Literature review chapter submission and supervisory review	Progression to methodology stage
Phase 3: Research Methodology and Design	Research planning and design	Research philosophy, design (qualitative/quantitative/mixed), data collection tools, sampling strategy, ethical approval, data analysis plan	Methodology chapter submission and progress review	Approval to conduct research
Phase 4: Results, Analysis and Discussion	Data analysis and interpretation	Data collection, results presentation, statistical/qualitative analysis, discussion, linkage to literature, conclusions, limitations, recommendations, appendices	Draft thesis submission for internal review	Approval for final thesis submission
Phase 5: Final Assessment (Thesis & Viva Voce)	Doctoral examination	Final thesis submission, external/internal examination, viva voce defence of research originality, methodology, and contribution to knowledge	Final thesis and viva examination	Award of DBA degree

DBA Exit Points

Exit Point	Academic Stage Completed	Assessment Status	Award / Outcome	Description
Early Exit (Pre-Registration / Proposal Stage)	Completion of research proposal only	Proposal not approved or withdrawn	No award	Candidate exits before formal doctoral registration; may receive informal statement of participation if applicable
Exit at Literature Review Stage	Completion of literature review	Insufficient progression to methodology stage	Postgraduate Certificate	Demonstrates partial doctoral engagement but not sufficient for higher qualification
Exit at Methodology Stage	Completion of methodology development	Research not progressed to data collection	Postgraduate Diploma	Demonstrates structured research design but incomplete doctoral study
MPhil Exit Award	Partial completion of doctoral research (up to data analysis stage in some cases)	Thesis does not meet DBA standard but meets Master’s research standard	Master of Philosophy (MPhil)	Recognised UK exit award for advanced research competence
DBA Award (Minor Corrections)	Full thesis completed and defended	Viva successful with minor amendments	Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) awarded	Thesis meets doctoral standard subject to minor revisions
DBA Award (Major Corrections)	Full thesis completed and defended	Viva successful with substantial revisions required	Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) awarded after resubmission	Doctoral standard met after significant revision
Resubmission Required	Full thesis submitted	Viva outcome deferred	Award pending re-examination	Thesis requires major revision and re-examination
Fail (No Award)	Full or partial thesis submitted	Does not meet doctoral or MPhil standard	No award	Research does not meet minimum academic threshold

Assessment

Assessment Strategy

All assessments are conducted online and submitted through the official learning platform provided to students.

Phase 1: Research Proposal and Registration
Assessment Components: Submission of full research proposal including
- Title and abstract
- Introduction and research background
- Problem statement and research objectives
- Preliminary literature review
- Research methodology (design, approach, methods)
- Expected outcomes and significance
- Initial references [ Harvard Style of References]
Additional Requirement
Formal proposal presentation and viva for approval by the supervisory panel and progression to registration.
Phase 2: Literature Review Development
Assessment Components: Comprehensive literature review covering
- Theoretical frameworks and key concepts
- Critical review of existing studies
- Identification of research gaps
- Conceptual framework development
- Justification of research positioning within Islamic and sustainability discourse
- Extended and updated references [Harvard Style of References]
Evaluation Method
Submission of draft chapter and supervisory review feedback.
Phase 3: Research Methodology and Design
Assessment Components: Detailed methodological framework including
- Research philosophy and approach
- Research design (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)
- Data collection methods and instruments (e.g. surveys, interviews, questionnaires)
- Sampling strategy
- Ethical considerations and Approval
- Data analysis techniques
Evaluation Method
Methodology chapter submission and formal progress review with supervisory approval.
Phase 4: Results, Analysis and Discussion
Assessment Components: Presentation of research findings including
- Data presentation and results
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Critical discussion of findings
- Linkage with literature and theoretical framework
- Conclusion and implications
- Limitations of the study
- Recommendations for future research
- References and appendices
- Research instruments (e.g. questionnaires, interview guides)
Evaluation Method
Submission of full draft thesis for internal review and feedback prior to final submission.
Phase 5: Final Assessment (Thesis Examination)
Assessment Components: Submission of final doctoral thesis
- External and internal examiner evaluation
- Viva voce examination assessing:
  - Originality and contribution to knowledge
  - Academic rigour and methodological soundness
  - Integration of Islamic frameworks with sustainable development
  - Overall coherence and scholarly quality

Assessment Policies

All assessments, including the research proposal, progress reviews, thesis submission, and viva voce examination, are conducted in accordance with institutional regulations, ensuring fairness, transparency, consistency, and academic integrity.
The programme follows a structured research-based assessment model, with formative support provided through supervisory guidance and formal milestone reviews leading to the final doctoral thesis.
Late submission of required research milestones, plagiarism, and any form of academic misconduct are managed under formal institutional procedures and may affect progression or the final award outcome.
Candidates are required to meet the prescribed academic and research standards at each stage of the programme, including successful completion of the proposal stage and satisfactory defence of the final thesis in the viva voce examination, in order to be awarded the DBA qualification.

Grade Bands and Classifications

Final grades are awarded based on overall doctoral examination outcomes using the LISD grading framework.

LISD Grading System

Classification	Descriptor	Typical Outcome Criteria
Doctor of Business Administration (Awarded)	Pass – DBA awarded	Thesis demonstrates original contribution to knowledge, meets doctoral standards, and is successfully defended in viva voce. Minor or no corrections may be required.
Doctor of Business Administration (Awarded with Minor Corrections)	Pass with minor revisions	Thesis meets doctoral standard subject to minor typographical, formatting, or clarificatory corrections within a limited timeframe.
Doctor of Business Administration (Awarded with Major Corrections)	Pass with major revisions	Thesis demonstrates potential doctoral standard but requires substantial revisions before final approval. Re-submission required within specified period.
MPhil Award	Exit award	Thesis does not meet DBA standard but is sufficient for Master of Philosophy (MPhil) award.
Resubmission Required	Deferred outcome	Thesis requires re-submission and re-examination following significant revision. May or may not lead to award.
Fail (No Award)	Unsuccessful	Thesis does not meet MPhil or DBA standard and is not recommended for award even after revisions.

Assessment Rubrics and Weightings

Phase 1: Research Proposal and Registration

Criteria	Outstanding Doctoral Standard	Meets Doctoral Standard	Borderline Doctoral Standard	Below Doctoral Standard
Title & Abstract	Highly focused, original, clearly framed doctoral contribution	Clear and appropriate research focus	Some clarity but lacks precision	Unclear or non-doctoral level
Introduction & Background	Strong critical positioning within field	Clear rationale and context	Limited critical framing	Weak or inadequate
Research Problem & Objectives	Original, significant, clearly researchable	Clear and appropriate	Partially defined	Vague or poorly formulated
Initial Literature Engagement	Demonstrates critical awareness of key debates	Adequate engagement	Descriptive overview	Minimal or irrelevant
Methodological Direction	Strong alignment and justification	Appropriate approach identified	Basic methodology outline	Inappropriate or unclear
Research Significance	Strong doctoral-level contribution	Clear relevance	Limited justification	Not demonstrated
Proposal Viva	Defends ideas with clarity and academic maturity	Adequate defence	Basic understanding	Unable to defend proposal

Phase 2: Literature Review Development

Criteria	Outstanding	Meets Standard	Borderline	Below Standard
Theoretical Framing	Highly critical, original synthesis of theories	Clear theoretical structure	Basic framework	Weak or missing
Critical Engagement	Deep, analytical, evaluative	Good critique	Mostly descriptive	Lacks criticality
Research Gap Identification	Clearly defined and strongly justified	Identified appropriately	Partially identified	Not identified
Conceptual Development	Original, coherent, well-structured	Clear conceptual model	Basic structure	Missing or unclear
Islamic & Sustainability Integration	Sophisticated interdisciplinary integration	Clear linkage	Limited integration	Not evident
Scholarly Referencing	Extensive, current, authoritative	Appropriate sources	Adequate	Weak or inconsistent

Phase 3: Research Methodology and Design

Criteria	Outstanding	Meets Standard	Borderline	Below Standard
Research Philosophy	Clearly articulated and fully justified	Appropriate	Basic understanding	Incorrect or Missing
Research Design	Highly rigorous and well-justified	Appropriate design	Limited clarity	Inappropriate
Data Collection Strategy	Strong justification and methodological rigour	Suitable methods	Basic methods	Weak or unclear
Sampling & Access	Robust and clearly justified	Adequate	Limited detail	Poor or missing
Ethics & Governance	Fully compliant and critically addressed	Addressed appropriately	Basic consideration	Not addressed
Data Analysis Strategy	Advanced, well-justified analytical framework	Appropriate techniques	Basic approach	Inappropriate

Phase 4: Results, Analysis and Discussion

Criteria	Outstanding	Meets Standard	Borderline	Below Standard
Data Presentation	Clear, structured, academically rigorous	Clear presentation	Adequate	Poor or unclear
Analysis & Interpretation	Highly critical, original interpretation	Good analysis	Basic interpretation	Weak or incorrect
Discussion	Deep theoretical integration and insight	Good discussion	Limited criticality	Descriptive only
Link to Literature	Strong synthesis and contribution	Clear linkage	Partial linkage	Weak or Missing
Conclusions	Original, well-justified	Clear conclusions	Basic conclusions	Weak or unsupported
Limitations & Reflection	Critical and well-developed	Appropriate	Basic	Missing
Referencing & Appendices	Complete, accurate, scholarly	Good	Adequate	Poor

Phase 5: Final Assessment (Thesis & Viva Voce)

Criteria	Outstanding Doctoral Standard	Meets Doctoral Standard	Borderline Doctoral Standard	Below Doctoral Standard
Originality	Significant original contribution to knowledge	Clear originality	Some originality	Lacks originality
Contribution to Knowledge	Substantial and publishable-level impact	Clear contribution	Limited contribution	Not demonstrated
Academic Rigour	Exceptional depth and intellectual rigour	Good rigour	Adequate	Weak
Methodological Strength	Fully robust and defensible	Sound methodology	Basic	Flawed
Islamic Framework Integration	Deep, original interdisciplinary synthesis	Clear integration	Limited integration	Missing
Coherence & Structure	Excellent logical flow and academic coherence	Clear structure	Adequate	Weak
Viva Performance	Confident, scholarly, authoritative defence	Good defence	Basic response	Unable to defend

Publication Opportunity
Students who demonstrate outstanding doctoral-level work at key stages of the thesis (including the literature review and final submission) may be invited to collaborate with the academic team to develop their research into publishable papers. Publication will be subject to peer review and compliance with the academic and editorial standards of a recognised journal within the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD).

Assessment Submission and Mode of Delivery

All assessments will be conducted online and must be submitted through the official online platform provided to students.
Clear instructions and submission deadlines will be communicated in advance.
Students are responsible for ensuring that all work is submitted in the required format and within the specified timeframe.

Target Participants

The DBA IFSD is an advanced research degree that develops high-level expertise in sustainable development, digital transformation, and Islamic ethical, legal, and socio-economic principles within a global context. It prepares scholars to produce original research that contributes to academic knowledge and policy discourse.

The programme at LISD critically engages with global sustainability agendas, including the 17 SDGs, while examining their alignment with Islamic frameworks of justice, stewardship, and ethical governance. It focuses on key areas such as sustainable development theory, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, Islamic finance, and global governance.

The curriculum is research-driven and aligned with contemporary global challenges, enabling candidates to contribute to academia, policy development, and international institutions through rigorous, ethical, and interdisciplinary doctoral research.

Facilitators

The programme will be facilitated by the best experts from all over the world to provide participants within the public and private sectors worldwide with the best scientific and management solutions to implement effective public policy in their organisations to achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The facilitators will be on hand to guide you through the material and will expect you to bring personal experience and reflection on the topics covered. Group work will also be required for participants to engage in the workshop. Such activity allows participants to embed the new knowledge within their experience through active discussion and challenge.

Dr Rawad Hammad (London - UK) is a computer scientist with 20 years of experience in academic research, teaching, industry and leadership. Research interests include the use of Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and disruptive technologies for Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL), e-health and Smart Cities. His expertise lies in the application of innovative technologies from Artificial Intelligence, Semantics, Business Process Management, and Data Management in multi-disciplinary application domains including TEL and e-health. Rawad is the leader of two MSc Programmes and a Technology-Enhanced Learning Research Group. He is also co-director and co-founder of a newly established Smart Health Centre at the University of East London. Moreover, Rawad has been working on large-scale collaborative EU and international projects such as: DECUMANUS, TRANSFER and SmartTech which established collaboration with international partners from UK, Japan, Germany, Finland, the EU and the Middle East. Moreover, Rawad delivered a few keynote speeches and received a considerable number of research awards, the latest was the outstanding paper 2021 by Emerald Publishing. He is an executive committee member of the international society of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), and a panel member of different research journal/conference communities such as EC-TEL, IARIA, WASD, MEKEI, in addition to IEEE, ACM.

Professor Arshi Naim (London - UK) is recognised among the Top 2% Scientists globally by Stanford University and Elsevier, is a distinguished academic with over 23 years of experience in business management, digital marketing, higher education, quality assurance, and academic leadership. A prolific researcher, she has published 115+ Scopus-indexed papers in high impact journals and contributed to academic books with leading publishers such as Wiley, Springer, Elsevier, Emerald, Taylor & Francis, IGI Global, Nova Science, and Bentham Science.

Professor Allam Ahmed (London - UK) is a Professor of Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development; Co-Founder of SMART KM MODEL: An Integrated Knowledge Management Framework for Organizational Excellence and led the implementation of the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa Knowledge Management Framework Musharaka. Founding President of WASD; SDGs Universities Initiative; Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute; Fellow Faculty of Public Health, UK; Fellow Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK; and Fellow Academy of World Business, Marketing and Management Development, Australia. Prior to QMUL, Prof. Ahmed spent 15 years at the University of Sussex Science Policy Research Unit (1st science and policy think tank in the UK) where he established and led Sussex’s most successful postgraduate programme MSc International Management.

Ambassador (Ret) Dr Petru Dumitriu (Geneve - Switzerland) is a Former Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the Council of Europe to the United Nations in Geneva. Currently Senior Fellow and Lecturer on Multilateral Diplomacy postgraduate courses, Diplo Foundation/University of Malta. Former member of the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit and Editor of numerous reports including: Strengthening the policy research uptake in service of the 2030 Agenda for SD, Role of PPPs in the Implementation of Agenda 2030, Knowledge Management in the UN System

Dr Ibrahim Alfaki (UAE) is an Associate Professor of statistics in the Department of Statistics and Business Analytics at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). His research focuses on applied econometrics, spatial and statistical modeling, and data-driven policy analysis, with particular applications in road safety systems, economic and financial analytics, and the measurement of knowledge-based economies. His work emphasises the use of quantitative and data analytics methods, such as time series and econometric modeling, to support evidence-based decision-making and institutional performance evaluation. Professor Alfaki has contributed to national policy research, including the UAE Human Development Reports, in collaboration with government and international organizations. He has also served on the Scientific Committee of the Abu Dhabi Statistics Centre. In addition, he is a member of editorial advisory boards of several international journals, including WJEMSD, WJSTSD, and IJIKMMENA. His work reflects a sustained contribution to statistical applications in sustainable development and public policy.

Professor Lynette Louw (Eastern Cape -South Africa) is the Raymond Ackerman Chair of Management and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Commerce at Rhodes University in Makhanda, South Africa. Her areas of speciality include Strategic Management, International Organisational Behaviour, Cross-cultural Management and SMEs/Entrepreneurship. She has taught and/or researched in the Netherlands, Germany, Uganda and China. Previously, Lynette was a member of the MBA Higher Education Quality Committee for the Council on Higher Education (CHE) in South Africa (2003 - 2004).

Professor Liisa Laakso (Helsinki - Finland) Liisa Laakso has acted in different national and international positions of trust including the Finnish Government’s Research and Innovation Council. Currently she is member of the Human Rights Committee of the Council of Finnish Academies. Before joining the Nordic Africa Institute she served as the Rector of the University of Tampere and before that as the Dean at the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Social Science. She was a professor and UNESCO Chair at the University of Jyväskylä in 2004, in the field of Development and International Cooperation.

Dr Gale Rigobert (Saint Lucia - Caribbean) is Former Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of St. Martin (USM), in the Dutch Caribbean. She is the former Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development in Saint Lucia (2016-2021). Prior to becoming a parliamentary representative, a position she held on to for over nine (9) years (2011-2021), she was a government senator for a short period, which followed her role as advisor on national development to the Government of Saint Lucia (2010-2011). Dr. Rigobert was appointed Leader of the Opposition in 2013, the first woman to hold such office in the island of Saint Lucia.
Her career path has taken her through the hallowed walls of academia, with her career spanning several countries and institutions: The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago (2002-2010); SPRU, University of Sussex (2009), the United Kingdom; Anton de Kom University, Suriname (2009); the Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre (IGDC), University of York (2021-2022) and now the University of St. Martin.

Dr Ondřej Dvouletý (Prague - Czech Republic) is Associate Professor at the Department of Entrepreneurship, Prague University of Economics and Business. His research focuses on heterogeneity of self-employment, entrepreneurship and SME policy evaluation and entrepreneurial economics. He is Associate Editor of the Journal of Small Business Management, Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies and Central European Business Review. Ondřej is also the Editor of the annual Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability (IMES) conference.

Professor Rocky Dwyer (Minneapolis - USA) is a Core Faculty Professor in the Doctor of Business Administration Program in the College of Management and Human Potential at Walden University, USA. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, UK; a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants and a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. He is an award winning author, editor and educator, who has consulted and undertaken research to support social change for private, not-for profit, and public sector organizations in 30 countries to examine and validate Corporate Social Responsibility, Poverty Reduction initiatives, strategic organizational capacity to support social change, performance management and ethics. His research has been presented and published for conferences and symposiums in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, South America, Germany, the Russian Federation; and the Peoples Republic of China.

Professor Joseph Ntayi (Kampala - Uganda) is a Professor at Makerere University Business School and served as the former Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Energy, and Management Sciences at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), a position he relinquished in July 2023. Prior to this, he held several notable positions within the institution, including Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Management Science, Head of the Department of Marketing, Procurement, and Logistics Management. With over three decades of dedicated service to Makerere University, Makerere University Business School, and the government of Uganda, Prof. Ntayi has made significant contributions across various roles in Development Finance, Foreign Trade, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Development Economics, and Strategic Management. Prof. Joseph M. Ntayi is a luminary in both the academic and professional spheres, celebrated for his profound impact as an international scholar, insightful consultant, and pioneering social entrepreneur. Prof. Ntayi has co-authored more than 200 articles for internationally acclaimed journals, covering a wide range of research interests including Development Finance, Development Economics, Microfinance, Energy Economics, Public Sector Procurement, Supply Chain and Logistics, Public Sector Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Positive Psychology, and Public health. In February 2021, 2022, January 2023, and January 2024, Prof. Ntayi received prestigious accolades from the International Scientific Scholars Forum, recognizing him as one of the top scholars in the world and acknowledging his excellence in Business & Management and Strategic Management. Furthermore, he has been recognized as the leading Strategic Management Scientist in Uganda and the Second most prominent in this field across Africa.

Professor Michael Busler (New Jersey - USA) is a Professor of Finance at Stockton University in the USA. He has held positions at Pennsylvania State University, Delaware University, Rutgers University and Drexel University. He teaches courses in Corporate Finance, managerial economics and Entrepreneurship. Dr. Busler is a known expert in Public Policy and Economics. He has published more than 65 refereed journal articles and nearly 1000 opinion columns in major publications. In addition, he has given hundreds of interviews on both syndicated radio and on network tv stations.

Miryem Salah (London - UK) is the director for Digital, Data & AI Transformation, Managing Director for the MSP sales channel of Vodafone Business IT hubs at VodafoneThree.Having led on major transformation across IT, digital, data, analytics and AI globally in private, public sectors. Miryem operates at the intersection of strategy, execution, culture, and impact-the space where she has consistently delivered the greatest value. She brings end‑to‑end ownership: setting direction, aligning capital and talent, and taking full accountability for outcomes. Her experience spans sectors and geographies, with leadership across the full enterprise agenda. Miryem brings strong financial and commercial acumen, with deep expertise in capital allocation, business case development, operating model design, and benefits realisation. She has led complex, multinational organisations through change under pressure-modernising infrastructure, integrating cultures, and delivering measurable improvements in customer experience, efficiency, and profitability. Building high‑performing, inclusive leadership teams with clarity, pace, and accountability. She is deeply committed to sustainability, diversity, and developing future leaders. Miryem is known for authentic leadership, decisive action, and strong stakeholder engagement at the shareholder, board & investor level.

Professor Dhiya Al-Jumeily OBE (Liverpool - UK) has 30+ years experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning. In 2020, Prof Al-Jumeily was appointed by her majesty “THE QUEEN to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, “OBE- Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order” for the “Services to Scientific Research”. Within healthcare field Prof Al-Jumeily developed SMART applications for disease diagnosis and management that are currently used by patients in the UK, UAE and Iraq. On the scientific community level, Prof Al-Jumeily established the eSystems Engineering Society (eSES) that has contributors from researchers and scientists at worldwide. The eSES activities include intelligent patient management system; datasets and databanks; DeSE annual and international conference; accredited professional courses; and the International Journal of Data Science and Advanced Analytics. On the research funding level, Prof Al-Jumeily attracted more than £7.5M of funding and published >350 publications.

Professor Mary He (Manchester - UK) is Professor of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Robotics in the School of Science, Engineering, and Environment at the University of Salford and Turing Liaison Academic for membership of the Salford Turing University Network. She is a passionate advocate of AI and an expert in human-centred AI for trustworthy robotics and trustworthy autonomous systems (TRAS). She has also done a lot of research in cognitive cybersecurity, data science, computational theory and optimisation. She was a senior embedded systems engineer at Motorola Design House in China. Mary is Chair of the task force of AI and Edge Computing for TRAS on the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society's Technical Committee on Adaptive and Dynamic Programming and Reinforcement Learning and Chair of the IEEE UK & Ireland RAS Chapter.

Professor Manuel Frutos-Perez (Cambridge - UK) is the Chief Academic Officer at the digital division of Cambridge Education Group. He leads the strategic planning process across a wide portfolio of Higher Education partnerships, with a focus on international market intelligence, academic excellence, and outstanding learner support. He is also a Visiting Professor in Online Education and Digital Innovation at the University of Hull, UK, and a Visiting Professor in Digital Learning at the Academic Practice Directorate, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. Manuel is an international technology expert promoting the advancement of learning and teaching in Higher Education, and regularly delivers thought leadership keynotes at international events.

Professor Philip Kotler (Chicago - USA) is widely regarded as the "Father of Modern Marketing" - is an acclaimed American marketing author, consultant, and professor emeritus. He served as the S.C. Johnson Distinguished Professor of International Marketing (Emeritus), Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Known for popularising the concept of the marketing mix, Kotler has authored over 80 books, including Marketing Management and the Principles of Marketing.

Professor Intisar Soghayroun (Khartoum - Sudan) is the Former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Sudan (September 2019 - October 2021) and Professor of Archaeology at the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Khartoum(1991-2022). Expert at The Institute of Arabic Manuscripts June 2023 up to present. She has special interest in the theoretical archaeology, Islamic civilization, Archaeology and Museums studies, Ancient technologies, Theatrical Archaeology as well as Gender Archaeology. A research fellow at Bergen University, Norway in 2008 and ST, John’s college/Cambridge University, UK in 2000 and held a number of administrative positions at University of Khartoum such Dean, Faculty of Arts, and Dean, Deanship for Scientific Research. A member of national, regional and international associations of Archaeologists. Also worked as a consultant for a numbers of organizations such as Ethiopia-Sudan Power System Interconnection, Red Sea Power Plant, SMEC International PTY LTD and Consultancy Service for lake Nasser/Nubia Watershed. A member of United Nations General Assembly Science Summit (UNGASS) 2021 up to present.

Dr Khalid Hasan (Toronto - Canada) is a Canadian marketing scholar, author, and researcher specialising in sustainability, global strategy, and market research. A Harvard-trained strategist, he has authored, co-authored, and edited seven books, including The New Sustainability Edge (2025) (with the Father of Modern Marketing Professor Philip Kotler). His other publications include Strategic Marketing Management in Asia (2026) and Marketing Practices in Developing Economies (2009). Professor Hasan teaches Sustainability, Marketing, and Human Resource Management in North America and South Asia and serves as CEO of ResInt Canada and President of ResInt Sustainability Institute. With over 35 years of experience, including senior leadership roles at Nielsen, he has led research for the World Bank, the U.S. Department of State, USAID, UNICEF, and major global multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Dr Malgorzata Sulimierska (Brighton - UK) is a Senior Lecturer in Banking and FinTech at the Department of Business and Management for the University of Sussex Business School and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She also has Oxford Fintech and Blockchain Qualifications from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in Financial Economics from the University of Sussex (UK). She is involved in research and teaching at numerous institutions, Lancaster University (UK), Catholic Leuven University (Belgium) and Loughborough University (UK). Her excellent teaching skills have been valued by several teaching awards, the BMEs Oscar Award for the Best seminar tutor, Excellence in Teaching Award and Student-Led Teaching Award. Her remarkable passion for teaching and discovering new areas of development guides her interests towards FinTech, Banking digitalization, Financial literature, Financial inclusions and political uncertainty.

Professor Muhammad Aziz Rahman (Melbourne - Australia) is an experienced academic, a medical doctor and a public health professional. Following completion of medical graduation (MBBS), he completed his post-graduation in Public Health (MPH, PhD). Currently, he is working as the Associate Dean of Research at the Institute of Health and Wellbeing and the Professor of Public Health at Federation University Australia in Melbourne. Professor Rahman has been working in the areas of public health research and teaching for more than 20 years, both in Australian and international settings. He has an excellent track record of providing leadership in completing different research and community projects successfully, focusing on different aspects of public health, securing funding, producing high-quality research publications, supervising higher degree research students, assisting in capacity building and providing supportive supervision to the early/mid-career researchers and collaborating successfully with experienced researchers. Professor Rahman has published more than 200 research papers in multidisciplinary journals with more than 135,000 citations. Due to his extraordinary track record of research citations, he has been ranked amongst the world’s top 2% scientists for the last five years (2020-25), ranking done by Elsevier BV and Stanford University, USA. He has contributed to generating over $13 million in funding in his professional career. He has extensive international research collaborations with over 25 countries and has successfully led several multi-country research projects with significant outputs. Professor Rahman is also actively engaged with professional communities through different leadership roles. He is the Vice President at the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), the largest organisation for public health professionals in Australia.

Dr Mohamed Hassan-Sayed (Southampton - UK) is the Founder and Director of Chemical Engineering programs at the University of Southampton. He is an experienced academic with a demonstrated history of working in higher education and industry for 20 years. Skilled in Chemical and Energy systems, a Chartered Energy Engineer From the Energy Institute and a Chartered Engineer from the Institute of Engineering and Technology as well chartered Manager from the Chartered Management institute. He developed and taught a range of Energy and Chemical Engineering courses at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels in Kuwait, Saudi, Egypt and the UK. A strong engineering professional with over 95 publications and several books and contributions; supervised 20 PhD projects to conclusion. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK. And several certifications in Engineering Business, Management, and innovation. Mohamed Developed the Energy and Petroleum courses at the Australian College in Kuwait then became an Associate Professor for 6 years at the American University in Cairo, where he helped in developing the Energy and Petroleum engineering courses leading to ABET acerdation and participated in the Education Development Program for Egyptian Universities and has previously taught at Suez Canal University and many other private universities such as the British University in Egypt. He also developed and lead the course in Energy and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Portsmouth for six years achieving accreditation through the Engineering council (energy institute) in the UK.

Professor Luisa Maure (Panama City - Panama) is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Natural, Exact, and Technology Sciences of the University of Panama. With a Bachelor's in Mathematics (UP), a Master's in Mathematics and its Didactics (UAEH, México), and a PhD in Didactics of Mathematics and Experimental Sciences (University of Barcelona), she has dedicated her career to transforming mathematics education. She leads the GIEM21 research group, fostering innovation in teacher training and inclusive education. As president of the APANAC Congress 2023 and a member of Panama’s National Research System (SNI-SENACYT), she promotes science for development. Her work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in quality education (SDG 4) and gender equality (SDG 5). She has collaborated internationally to advance educational policies and was honored with the title Cavaliere of the Order of the Star of Italy for her contributions to science diplomacy and academic cooperation.

Professor Jerry Kolo (UAE) is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning in the School of Architecture and Design at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), Sharjah, UAE. Prior to joining AUS in 2008/2009, he was a Professor at Florida Atlantic University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, where he also founded and directed an applied research center, Center for Urban Redevelopment and Empowerment (CURE). His areas of teaching and research specialization are urban economic development, environmental planning and sustainable community planning. Jerry has an extensive consulting track record in the areas of municipal economic development, university-community partnerships, and community empowerment. For his community and public service, Jerry has earned several awards, including the State of Florida Governor’s Public Service Award in 1994, and the Florida African-American Achiever’s Award in 1999.

Contact Us

To register/enquire about this course and all our various comprehensive list of courses and workshops and if you have any question and/or if you would like to request a training workshop/program not listed in our portfolio please contact our Academic Director Professor Arshi Naim at: arshi@wasd.org.uk with a copy to admin@wasd.org.uk.

London Institute of Sustainable Development (LISD), London, United Kingdom

Get Directions

Registration and Fees

Included in the course fee, the following learning materials will be provided:

Admission to all sessions.
All overhead slides (PDF).
Case studies (print and video).
Full access to WASD Sustainability Library including all volumes of World Sustainable Development Outlook book series.
Certificate of completion.

Gallery

The New Sustainability Edge

A landmark guide on how sustainability has shifted from an optional add-on to a core competitive strategy, helping businesses of every size drive lasting growth.

Philip Kotler & Khalid Hasan

Organization Diagnosis, Design, and Transformation

A practical guide built around the Baldrige Excellence Framework, helping organizations assess their current state, redesign structure, and lead successful transformation.

John Latham & John Vinyard

The 13 Key Performance Indicators for Highly Effective Teams

Identifies 13 measurable indicators that distinguish high-performing teams, giving managers a clear framework to diagnose team health and drive outstanding results.

Allam Ahmed, George Siantonas & Nicholas Siantonas

Smart KM Model

An integrated Knowledge Management framework guiding organizations to capture, share, and leverage knowledge for efficiency, innovation, and sustainable excellence.

Allam Ahmed & Mohamed Elhag

DBA Islamic Frameworks for Sustainability and Digitalisation

Overview

Overview

A One of-a-Kind Initiative

Related Sustainable Development Goals

Related Courses

Location

Country/Regions

Social Networks

Related Sustainable Development Goals

What will you learn

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Cognitive, Intellectual or Thinking Skills

Practical, Professional or Subject-specific Skills

Technical or Information Technology Skills

Transferable, Key or Personal Skills

Programme Structure

Support for Student Learning

The programme provides comprehensive support to ensure a successful and engaging learning experience:

LISD Supervision Support Structure

Programme Structure

DBA Exit Points

Assessment

Assessment Strategy

Assessment Policies

Grade Bands and Classifications

LISD Grading System

Assessment Rubrics and Weightings

Assessment Submission and Mode of Delivery

Target Participants

Facilitators

Contact Us

Registration and Fees

Gallery

You May Also Be Interested In

Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Management for Effective Leaders

Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Management for Effective Leaders 18 Hours Course (Face to Face and…

Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (UROGYNAECOLOGY)

Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (UROGYNAECOLOGY) REGISTER 48 Hours Course Friday…

Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development for Future Women Leaders

18 July 2023 This two-day course will be facilitated by world renowned experts in Digital Transformation…

Quick Links

Programmes

Get in touch