VIEW FROM THE TOP
NAVIGATING A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT TOGETHER
In light of ongoing geopolitical and economic turmoil around the world, AMBA & BGA CEO Andrew Main Wilson looks ahead to an edifying experience as leaders gather to share their wisdom at this year’s Global Deans & Directors Conference
I
firmly believe that since we are currently living in arguably the most geopolitically and economically uncertain times globally of the past 50 years, outstanding business school tuition is more vital than
Some of the dramatic policies of the new US administration have now added a further degree of uncertainty to the mix, including potential repercussions for US business schools that threaten to dilute their vital focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) policies. I am an alumnus of Harvard Business School and admire its initial refusal to compromise the school’s independence and stance. I want to reassure all our AMBA and BGA schools that our belief in and focus on crucial DE&I principles in our accreditation criteria will not change. The month of May is traditionally the time for our annual Global Deans & Directors Conference, being held this year in the historic and dynamic German city of Berlin. We are delighted to welcome our largest-ever number of delegates and look forward to discussing and debating many of the pressing key issues facing our industry over the next three to five years.
We have a fantastic line-up of speakers and a range of compelling and insightful topics under discussion. These will include essential skills for future leaders; transforming the student journey in an uncertain world; leveraging innovation in the age of AI; analysing the shifting dynamics in graduate management education; identifying internationalisation opportunities in India; shaping the future of business school branding and marketing; and optimising business school and corporate partnerships. With globalisation and international relations under threat both geopolitically and economically through new tariffs, we are proud to bring together influential leaders from more than 50 countries to share important ideas for the future. We’re sure that this will also cement international relationships for the benefit of ambitious students and talented faculty, championing global commerce and connections in an increasingly polarised world.
ever before. Our task is to help create current and future business leaders of unprecedented quality; not only in terms of commercial expertise and entrepreneurial flair, but also of curiosity and resilience. I felt honoured earlier this month to be invited, as the guest speaker, to the opening ceremony of Nagoya University of Commerce and Business’ matriculation ceremony, in front of an audience of almost 2,000 students, graduates, faculty and staff, at the school’s superb campus in Nagoya. The atmosphere was electric, with an audience of future leaders full of hope and ambition – admirable optimism in a world where many citizens feel pessimistic.
54 Ambition • ISSUE 2 • 2025
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online