FROM THE CEO
THE OUTLOOK FOR LATAM
AMBA & BGA CEO Andrew Main Wilson examines the bonds expected to be forged at this year’s Latin America conference for deans and directors; there is also a strong contingent of attendees from Chinese business schools, reflecting their desire to develop international partnerships
A
s I write this, we are about to embark on our 18th annual Latin America conference for deans and directors in the cosmopolitan metropolis that is Mexico City. Latin
Mexico is recognised as being home to several of the finest quality business schools in Latin America and we are proud that all six AMBA-accredited schools in Mexico are strongly supporting the conference. We will be discussing a wide range of key industry issues, including revolutionary changes to MBA programmes; establishing entrepreneurship across the entire business school; championing inclusion and celebrating differences in diversity; building business school partnerships within Latin America and globally; as well as identifying the latest international trends through research. We will also hear from LinkedIn on the networking site’s perspective on the future of work; then there are sessions on championing sustainability; embracing the future through digital transformation with AI; fostering collaboration between Latin America and China; and training the next generation of responsible AI entrepreneurs.
I continue to see a strong desire for deans and directors to return to physical, face-to-face conferences and events, while virtual networking and Zoom conferences still have a role to play. When delegates from all over the world want to communicate with each other, there is clearly no substitute for meeting contacts, old and new, personally. Not only is the learning and sharing experience deeper in a physical conference setting, but crucial relationships can also be built through networking lunches and dinners. This desire for personal contact is clearly reflected in the number of delegates who have signed up to attend the conference: we will welcome our highest-ever number of attendees since we held our very first Latin America conference, in Buenos Aires, some 18 years ago.
America is a very important region in the global AMBA network, as we accredit no fewer than 39 schools across the region. Our annual conference for Latin American business schools provides a unique opportunity for the leading deans and directors from the very best institutions to network together, discussing and debating the key issues that will impact business schools in Latin America over the next three to five years. Interestingly, this year’s conference will be attended by approximately 30 deans and directors from Chinese business schools, reflecting the high value that our Chinese and Latin American schools place on building international partnerships with one another.
38 | Ambition OCTOBER 2023
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