Europe, Middle East, and Africa Annual Conference

Join us for a welcome message from AACSB International Leadership and Conference Chair followed by the opening keynote session. In the opening keynote panel discussion, speakers will share some of the ways they are advancing impact issues such as climate change and human rights in a timely and effective manner at their institution to see a change in the world now. Learn from their experiences how to have quick wins for your institution and the community, as well as how to quickly overcome challenges and roadblocks.

Growing global reach is central to many business schools’ development strategies, but how can equitable access and an intuitive digital experience be guaranteed across borders? Kortext’s partner schools have seen considerable growth in their programmes, fuelled in part by student-centred provision of learning materials. In partnership with Kortext, schools have created resilient hybrid programmes integrating digital resources, combined with data analytics providing student engagement insights. In this talk, Robin will uncover what has worked at partner schools whilst exploring the future of cross-border digital learning, in which trusted AI integration on platforms like Kortext’s will deliver unparalleled educational opportunities.”

If you have an upcoming Initial Accreditation or Continuous Improvement Review visit, this session is for you! We invite you to bring questions related to the accreditation process, and we will discuss visit preparation and planning, visit execution, and what to do when the unexpected happens.

What sparks curriculum review and pushes curriculum redesign to address sustainability issues? Presenters will share drivers of curriculum change, and challenges in revamping curriculum. Learn best practices for developing a system to ensure your institution stays relevant.

This session will focus on incorporating human skills in leadership teaching. Learn how to successfully train the next generation of CEOs, managers, and leaders to shape a workforce of lifelong learners equipped with contemporary skills needed to address today’s challenges.

Join this fireside chat discussion between a diverse group of industry partners as they discuss the needs of the industry and how business schools can step up to meet those needs. Speakers will share insight on what industry partners need from recent grads and what skills are in high demand in the workforce. They will also discuss the gaps that exist between business schools and industry needs.

What comes to your mind when you hear ´break the bias´? The session will explore gender disparity, and how we can transform our approach to business education, research, and engagement. While enforcing gender/diversity quotas can be effective, their success hinges upon a corresponding shift in people's behaviour. Presenters will reference recent research that supports the creation of focus groups and storytelling to shift behaviours. During this interactive session, presenters will share research data on gender disparity and provide an overview of unconscious and cognitive biases. Discuss with your peers innovative and impactful initiatives from business schools across the globe.

Is academic research overrated or underused? As business schools and faculty develop the responsible leaders of tomorrow, their research can help impact and serve the world today. This session will share best practices in getting research beyond academia and into the hands of industry leaders who can make changes in their organisations now. Specifically, it will illustrate what Executive Ph.D. programmes can offer to business schools and demonstrate that not engaging in Ph.D.-level collaborations with industry professionals can lead to a missed opportunity for business schools to serve the world.

In this Q&A-style session, Speakers will explore how educational institutions are reconsidering their teaching objectives and methodologies for a generative AI world. What does the exponential expansion of this technology mean for education? How does ChatGPT change teaching and learning for faculty and students? How should universities prepare students for the future, and which skills will be even more critical for the world’s emerging leaders? Explore these questions and more and leave with inspiration and specific guidance to address your school’s response to AI.

Connect with your peers and make new connections over dinner (included in the conference registration fee, RSVP required) at the local restaurant La Limonaia. Originally intended as a citrus grove and flower greenhouse, today La Limonaia has been finely and elegantly renovated, offering guests the unrepeatable charm of an authentic and refined atmosphere with a splendid view of the Villa Torlonia theatre. The cuisine is typical Italian with traditional dishes revisited using only local and genuine raw materials.

Is it business as usual, are there new models and ways of collaborating, is it time to reimagine international strategies? B-schools have been challenged to reimagine their internationalization approaches. How can we think of internationalization outside of overseas travel and exchange? As industry geopolitics becomes more strategic, the international education agenda should encompass all the elements that equip students with the skills needed to navigate global companies and the world. Join this session to learn responsible and strategic approaches to internationalization that better serve the learner and community needs.

To effectively prepare for the evolving landscape of higher education and the workforce, it is crucial for business schools to adopt a comprehensive perspective that extends beyond their own domain of expertise. This entails actively involving faculty members from diverse fields to contribute to the collective knowledge and exploring partnerships with other schools and programs. Presenters will share best practices in applying a transdisciplinary approach to various aspects of business schools, including curriculum development, faculty recruitment, and overall student experience.

In this session, panelists will share how they are putting the competitiveness of business schools aside to join forces and help schools struggling from current event challenges like the war in Ukraine, geo-political challenges, and humanitarian crises. Learn how to step up for your peer schools to offer a helping hand.

Join your fellow deans in an exclusive networking opportunity to close out the conference. This is for deans only.