AMBA & BGA DEANS & DIRECTORS GLOBAL CONFERENCE
Overcoming geopolitical instability “While it’s true that geopolitical instability is throwing up challenges for business schools, it also presents a real opportunity,” said former BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith in an analysis of the current climate’s repercussions for management education. The challenges are well known, as Sixsmith acknowledged. “Traditional business pathways have been disrupted by war, unprecedented friction in world trade and sanctions, blockades and shortages. Just when top business schools are looking outwards, attracting high-calibre international students has been complicated by the tightening of international borders and varying trends towards isolationism.” However, Sixsmith said that he sensed a chance for business schools to enact a positive influence on the future in the way they teach their students. “You are forming the leaders of tomorrow and your students will become the women and men who will show the way in business and trade, in politics and in academia,” he declared. What qualities do our future leaders need? Sixsmith served up a lesson from history that placed Hungary at its centre to demonstrate the value of understanding different perspectives and how stances are fluid rather than fixed. Highlighting how the viewpoint of Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán has changed over the years, he questioned whether the West might need to reassess its approach to Vladimir Putin. “If we want to deal with Putin, we need to at least try to understand his thinking, goals and motivations,” he advised. Management education can help here, as Sixsmith explained. “By instilling in students the values of rational thinking, openness, frankness and integrity, you will give them the tools they need to overcome the challenges of today and carve out a better future for all of us.” Navigating higher education in an uncertain world Amanda Shantz, professor of management and MBA director at the University of St Gallen’s Executive School of Management, Technology and Law, spoke about “reimagining the ivory tower” in the context of the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. The pandemic resulted in faculty at the school having to learn how to teach online and assist both other members of staff and literally hundreds of international students who had been made homeless. They were divided into two different groups: full-time and executive MBA. While the full-time students were stressed, the executive
Stefano Caselli stressed the value of continuous education
AI in business simulation was the focus of Matt Offord’s address
Matt Symonds gave expert advice on reputation management
Amanda Shantz explored student and staff well-being
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Canvas Stephan Fortier, regional vice-president for
want to complete all their studies online. They may prefer a hybrid option and it is important that business schools offer this.” He then referred to a statement from the European Union on micro-credentials, which highlighted the importance of continuous upskilling and reskilling to people in the workforce. This is equally valid whether it relates to the needs of their current job, or in assisting them to transition to new roles and expanding sectors. The Instructure platform offers ‘stackability’, making use of flexible pathways, a low barrier to entry and a focus on digital technical skills, as well as new entry and exit points such as alumni engagement. There are in excess of 521,000 badges worldwide that individuals can earn – and these are all stackable, verifiable and portable.
Instructure at Canvas, was joined by Sarah Kells, director of operations and course management at IE University and Amanda Shantz, MBA director at the University of St Gallen, for a session on lifelong learning. Traditionally, MBA applications have been inversely related to how the economy is performing; they rose during the pandemic but have since slowed. Factors involved include the nature of work, the speed of digital transformation, a focus on advancement of skills and increased alternative offerings. Fortier quoted Warwick Business School as saying that “future MBA candidates will be digital natives who studied at school or university during Covid-19. However, this does not necessarily mean they will
Ambition | JULY/AUGUST 2024 | 19
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