Being open to new ideas is also, for Brito, a way of keeping pace with the growing availability and increasingly rich resources of online and hybrid learning. Schools must not sit still here, but rather look for new options and potential connections. Referring to changing views around internationalisation, the FGV EAESP dean noted that old models based around lengthy student exchanges are losing sway and said that there is much to gain by taking a more pragmatic approach to partnerships. By no longer insisting on like-for-like agreements, you open the doors to any number of beneficial arrangements from the very small, such as a faculty member delivering a guest class online to another institution, to the very large, such as a more traditional study abroad experience. A school’s value, meanwhile, can be reinforced by emphasising its expertise in relation to the local business context and societal realities, Brito said. In practical terms, this means undertaking more applied research and offering a greater focus on topics with direct relevance to a school’s region. Evaluating & ensuring faculty excellence Vice-dean of faculty at Esade Business School Mar Vila delved into challenges around undertaking fair and effective evaluations of faculty members’ performance in a thought-provoking session on the morning of the conference’s final day. A good process of evaluation is essential, Vila explained, in ensuring a meritocracy and an environment that supports professional growth, enabling every faculty member to make their mark on the school’s community and advance their own career. However, the level of international diversity among faculty found at many leading schools presents some challenges. For example, Vila noted, cultural differences in teaching styles can complicate assessments, as what is effective in one culture may not be viewed the same way in another. Evaluating research
and analysis of data that can yield insights not just into shifting trends and outcomes affecting programme participants, but also in relation to recruiters who can connect with the school’s team, students and associated resources using the same software. Navigating a competitive landscape The deans of two leading business schools in Brazil and Colombia shared their thoughts on standing out in an increasingly challenging and competitive landscape in a session helmed by AMBA & BGA board member Steef van de Velde. Cristina Vélez Valencia, dean of EAFIT University School of Business in Medellín, talked about her school’s journey to “reconnect with our roots”, as she termed it. “For the past four years, we’ve been trying to identify what we are, in essence and what we’ve realised is that what makes us different from other schools is that we’re highly connected with organisations – with corporations, the entrepreneurial ecosystem and even the public system – and this is where our competitive advantage lies.” Vélez then outlined three key takeaways from this process of discovery. First, she explained why business schools need to align their strategy with that of the wider university. Then, she emphasised the value of co-operation, arguing that “one of the beautiful things about our sector is that co-operating with your competition is the best way to go forward.” EAFIT, for example, has joined forces with three other institutions in Colombia for the Alianza 4U initiative, with the specific purpose of strengthening higher education in the country. Lastly, Vélez said that “the best way to invest your time, as a dean or academic administrator, is to have conversations outside your university.” Luiz Brito, dean at São Paulo’s FGV EAESP, meanwhile, examined some of the specific challenges facing schools in Latin America and beyond, covering the topics of artificial intelligence (AI), internationalisation and online learning. While AI has the power to disrupt
business models, Brito said business schools should be better prepared than most to turn the technology’s challenges into opportunities. “Our faculty are probably some of the best people in the world to evaluate, judge and guide us on how to embrace and use AI effectively,” he said, pointing to the benefits of nurturing a culture of experimentation and allowing faculty to develop their ideas.
20 | Ambition | DECEMBER 2024
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