FROM THE CEO
A MEETING OF MINDS
AMBA & BGA CEO Andrew Main Wilson outlines the talking points likely to stimulate discussion amongst delegates at this year’s Global Deans and Directors Conference
s summer approaches, AMBA & BGA enters the second half of the financial year, having achieved record growth. Our AMBA-accredited business school network has grown to 295 schools and our BGA business school member network has grown to some 245, with as many new schools joining BGA during the first six months as joined in the course of the entire previous 12 months. In addition, 34 BGA schools have already achieved accreditation, attracted by our unique model that focuses on positive impact, responsible management and lifelong learning. I am, therefore, very much looking forward to welcoming our highest-ever number of delegates to our Global Deans and Directors Conference in Seville, taking place between 14 and 17 May. The popularity of returning to face-to-face conferences, meetings and networking is evidenced by our record attendance, with delegates from all six continents and around 50 countries taking part. Our comprehensive programme of presentations, discussions and networking A
opportunities aims to cover as many as possible of what I believe to be the top 10 key strategic issues facing business schools over the next three to five years. I have listed them here: • International perspectives and collaborations – optimising the best of local alongside the best of global • Societal impact – re-imagining the role of business schools in society • Curriculum innovation – core programmes and electives for 21st-century degrees • Lifelong learning – cost and time-effective creations, from MOOCs to executive education programmes, while competing effectively with online learning brands • Student employability – creating ‘fit for 21st century employment’ graduates, while optimising career services; also, employer relationships • Student recruitment – creating the optimum cohort mix, featuring gender/ ethnic/geographical diversity • Climate change & sustainability – best practice teaching, together with leading by example – is it possible to create a carbon neutral business school?
• Optimal teaching balance between face‑to‑face tuition, hybrid classrooms and pure online learning, while recognising the additional teaching load for faculty • Cutting-edge technology – balancing desirability with affordability. Artificial intelligence – maximising the advantages while minimising the disadvantages of ChatGPT • Campus facilities – creating affordable hybrid classrooms and maximising the competitive advantages of campus facilities and learning versus pure online education providers These issues warrant in-depth discussions and the sharing of ideas between schools, which I have found to be such a positive characteristic of the management education industry. This time of global economic and geopolitical uncertainty in which we find ourselves provides us with the opportunity to collaborate, as well as compete. “None of us is as smart as all of us”, as the saying goes. I look forward to seeing many of you in Seville for three days of stimulating presentations, discussions and innovations.
50 | Ambition | MAY 2023
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