AACSB

And that is a wrap on #ElevateEMEA 2025 in Seville!  Our final day opened with regional networking before moving into sessions designed to help schools navigate accreditation and impact with confidence. Hanna-Leena Pesonen of Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics - JSBE and Natalia Ilina of #AACSB offered guidance on successful Peer Review Team visits, while Philipp Fondermann PhD of Elsevier shared practical approaches for communicating institutional impact.  Our final keynote brought together Amber Wigmore Alvarez, PhD of JobTeaser, Gráinne Walsh of dopp, Jaime del Valle Sansierra of L'Oréal, and Pilar Castro González of Universidad Loyola as we learned about the readiness gap and what employers most need from graduates today.  The afternoon advanced discussions on financial resilience with Pr. Fouad Zmokhol of Saint Joseph University of Beirut and Hanane El Kouari of IÉSEG School of Management, as well as sustainability leadership with Dr. Alex Hope of Northumbria University and David Byrne of Trinity Business School. Global mobility insights followed from Ihsan Zakri of AACSB, Professor Liz Warren of The Manchester Metropolitan University, and Yusuf Sidani of American University of Beirut.  We concluded with a dynamic AI Spotlight featuring David Becerra Alonso of Universidad Loyola, Maha Mourad of The American University in Cairo, Michelle Sisto of EDHEC Business School, Mohamed Derrabi of UM6P - University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, and Oliver Matthews of 4Uni Solutions, highlighting innovative applications transforming learning, research, and operations across EMEA.  Professor Eileen McAuliffe PhD of AACSB closed the event by reflecting on the community gathered for these packed yet invaluable two days. Thank you to all speakers, attendees, our #AACSB team, and our wonderful host Universidad Loyola. Until next year! 

Day one of #ElevateEMEA in Seville carried an exceptional level of energy. The conversations, the connections, and the engagement across the campus of Universidad Loyola created a strong start to the first #ElevateEMEA. These photos offer just a glimpse of the momentum on site. Day two is beginning, more highlights to come!

Day one at Elevate: EMEA in Seville delivered a full day of insight, connection, and forward-looking dialogue across our region.  Thank you to our gracious host , Pilar Castro González of Universidad Loyola! The day opened with Joyce Strawser, board chair of #AACSB, who set the direction for the very first Elevate event in the region. Giuseppe Luca Petrelli of Hitachi Energy followed with a powerful call to lead with purpose, curiosity, and a commitment to people. "In this dynamic world... We need to lead with both the brain and the heart.  In the end...  It’s all about people " – shared Giuseppe. Across sessions, speakers explored the major themes shaping business schools today. AACSB's Stephanie Bryant offered valuable perspective on the evolving #accreditation landscape and the opportunities ahead with the standards refresh.  Faculty strategy, alumni ecosystems, and talent development were highlighted by ASSAAD FARAH of American University in Dubai, Olivier APTEL of Paris School of Business, Abir Sinno of American University of Beirut, and Kathleen Andries of University of Antwerp.  Research impact took center stage through insights from Araceli Mora of University of Valencia, AACSB's Professor Eileen McAuliffe PhD, Laura Venz of Leuphana University of Lüneburg, and Søren Hvidkjær of Copenhagen Business School, illustrating how research can shape industry, policy, and society.  Innovation in learning and quality assurance advanced through guidance from Adam Thomas of University of Zurich and Chourouq HAISNI of Esca École de management, who shared practical approaches to strengthening Assurance of Learning systems.  Rankings were unpacked by Daniel Kahn of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, Esra Al Dhaen, Associate Professor, PFHEA of Ahlia University, and Tamim Elbasha of Audencia, who clarified the mechanics behind methodologies and their strategic implications.  The future of the region’s business schools was brought into focus by Angela Owusu-Ansah of Ashesi University, Catherine Nickerson of Zayed University, Professor Fatima Annan-Diab of University of East London, Johan S Roos of Hult International Business School, and Marin Njavro of Luxembourg School of Business, who discussed how institutions can navigate uncertainty while building resilience and relevance. Ready for day two? #ElevateEMEA   

Thank you to our Contributor-Level Sponsors for helping make Elevate: Europe, Middle East, and Africa possible! 🙏🎉 Your support enhances the experience for attendees from around the world and contributes to an unforgettable event for the global business education community 🌎📚 We appreciate your dedication to advancing the conversation. ⭐ American University of the Middle East (AUM) ⭐ GMAC ⭐ Gulf University for Science and Technology ⭐  The Wharton School

We are proud to announce the Mediterranean School of Business at South Mediterranean University as our host school for Elevate: Middle East and North Africa! Their commitment to innovation and global collaboration sets the stage for a dynamic event.    See you on 20–21 January in Tunis, Tunisia: aacsb.edu/elevate-mena #ElevateMENA

How prepared are today’s graduates for tomorrow’s workplace?  Join us at #ElevateEMEA for Keynote II: Bridging the Readiness Gap, where leaders from across the region will unpack what employers truly need—and how business schools can evolve to meet those expectations. Hear insights from:  🔹Moderator: Pilar Castro González, Universidad Loyola   🔹Jaime del Valle Sansierra, L'Oréal   🔹Gráinne Walsh, dopp  🔹Amber Wigmore Alvarez, PhD, JobTeaser    This dynamic conversation will explore the skills graduates excel in, the areas where support is still needed, and how institutions can build stronger, future-ready talent pipelines. 📅 27–28 November 2025  📍 Seville, Spain 

Research impact is a process shaped by time, career stage, and institutional support. Peter Bamberger of Tel Aviv University - Coller School of Management, explores how: 🎓 Expectations around research impact need to be aligned with a scholar’s career stage. 🎓 Junior scholars should focus on producing new knowledge, while senior scholars have a unique opportunity to broaden their work’s application. 🎓 The Academy of Management is helping amplify scholarly insights through practitioner-friendly platforms, expanding the reach to more stakeholders. #BusinessEducation #ResearchImpact #SocietalImpact #AcademicScholarship

The circular economy 🔄 demands leaders who can shift business models, redesign systems, and embrace sustainability as a strategic imperative. Business schools can develop those leaders by integrating circular principles across the curriculum 📚, building industry partnerships 🤝, and leveraging alliances like KODECET to support faculty and institutional transformation 🦋. By Dr. Veenu Sharma, Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/egApr3EQ #BusinessEducation #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #ResponsibleManagement #SocietalImpact

As artificial intelligence reshapes business and society, schools are tasked with ensuring their students are prepared to use AI responsibly.

AACSB accreditation succeeds when faculty are true partners in the process. A practical typology—Champions, Doers, Skeptics, and Pretenders—can help leaders understand faculty motivations and tailor engagement strategies. Key highlights: 📌 Most schools have more Doers and Skeptics than Champions 📌 Pretenders pose hidden risks, especially in leadership roles 📌 Structured guidance, transparency, and targeted recognition can move faculty toward deeper involvement 📌 Balanced teams—Champions for leadership, Doers for execution, and Skeptics for quality—drive the best results 👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eiQTCn44 By Jean Cushen, School of Business Maynooth University, and Amizan Omar, University of Bradford School of Management #FacultyEngagement #AcademicLeadership #BusinessEducation #AACSBAccreditation