Forum
AABS 2024 African Deans and Directors Forum
Overview
The AABS African Deans and Directors Forum is a prestigious event designed to bring together decision-makers from business schools and related entities across Africa and globally. The primary objective of this forum is to foster collaboration and innovation among leaders in the academic and business sectors. Attendees participate in a masterclass where they engage in meaningful discussions about future impactful initiatives and effective problem-solving strategies. This forum not only provides a platform for insightful dialogue but also facilitates the creation of a robust network among participants. As part of the AABS membership, this event offers invaluable opportunities for professional growth and the development of new ventures in the African market.
Host
ESSEC Business School | Africa Campus
Logistics
Venues
Forum Venue: ESSEC Business School Africa Campus, Rabat, Morocco
Welcome Cocktail Venue: Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Sale
Gala Dinner Venue: Dar Chrifa
Getting There: Your Guide to Rabat
Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport
- The distance from the Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport to the ESSEC Africa Campus in Rabat is approximately 2 hours (150 km) on average.
Rabat-Salé Airport
- The distance from the Rabat-Salé Airport to the ESSEC Africa Campus in Rabat is approximately 25 minutes (15,8 km) on average.
Transportation
- Recommended transport company: Chauffeur Pro (Contact through Whatsapp)
- +212 662‑601364
- Please note that this service will be at the participants' own expense.
Accommodation
Each delegate is responsible for making their own hotel reservation. Please note that special room blocks are based on availability at discounted rates.
The recommended AABS 2024 African Deans & Directors Forum hotels are :
ONOMO Hotel Rabat Terminus
- Single Standard Room: For the latest rates and availability, please contact reservation.terminus@onomohotel.com
- Twin Standard Room: For the latest rates and availability, please contact reservation.terminus@onomohotel.com
Please note that rooms at the preferential rate are subject to availability.
Online Booking:
You may book directly through www.onomohotels.com
Booking via Form Submission:
Please follow these instructions to complete your booking:
- Handwrite and sign the attached form.
- Include your credit card details. (CVC Required for confirmation)
- Under the room type section, select:
- Single (Sold out on 11th and 12th of November 2024)
- Twin
- In the comment section, add:
- ESSEC AABS Guest
- Payment upon arrival
- Visa Confirmation Letter Required (if applicable)
- Send the completed form to reservation.terminus@onomohotel.com with the subject line: Booking – ESSEC AABS Guest – November 2024.
- If a visa confirmation letter is needed, please attach a scanned copy of your passport.
Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé
- Standard Room: 2300 MAD ($250) per night
Please follow these instructions to complete your booking:
- https://url-r.fr/Wuyjn
- Choose your dates
- Choose your room
- Click on "Special Rates"; ensure that the preferred code AABS24 is entered (If it's not, please add it) and then confirm.
Hotel Atlantic Adgal
- Standard Room with Big bed: 950 MAD ($93.10) per night including breakfast (all taxes included).
- Twin or Double Room: 1140 MAD ($115.94) per night including breakfast (all taxes included).
To complete your booking, please make full payment upfront and email the hotel with the subject line: J 27122020 Madame Hajji Salma to info@atlanticagdal.com
Visa Information
AABS' policy mandates that attendees must be registered and have fully paid to receive a visa letter.
For more information, to check eligibility, and to apply for an e-visa if applicable, please visit this official website: https://www.acces-maroc.ma/
Speakers
Jonathan Foster-Pedley
Jon is Dean and Director of Henley Business School in Africa, part of the Henley Business School UK, a leading global business school with campuses in Europe, Asia and Africa. With Henley Africa being the first school to be accredited by The Association of Africa Business schools (AABS), Henley now holds international quadruple accreditation, AABS, AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. Henley’s purpose is ‘We build the people who build the businesses that build Africa.’
Jon’s career includes roles as educator, dean, corporate executive, airline pilot, aerobatic competitor, writer and speaker. He has 45 years of international working experience. He has been a professor of innovation, MBA director, director of executive education, designer and director of numerous executive education programmes and lecturer in strategy, innovation and executive learning. His interests are economic and educational transformation, sustainability and business evolution.
Henley Africa has been an entrepreneurial success, with a strong reputation for progressive learning design and care for students and clients.
Jon is chairman of the British Chamber of Business in Southern Africa, chairman of the Association of Africa Business Schools, board member of the Alliance of Management Development Associations in Rising Economies, and former vice-chair of the South African Business Schools Association. He is chair and founder of MBAid, an NPO that seeks to turn the energies of business schools to social good, which has worked with over 350 NGOs. Jon is also a Distinguished Professor at Woxsen University, India and a life Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK.
Kevin Sibartie
Kevin is an experienced investment professional with ICAEW's Corporate Finance Qualification and has held roles in corporate law, banking, and private equity with firms like Apex Group and Mauritius Commercial Bank. Since 2017, he's been the CEO of Cartwheel Investments, supporting SMEs in sectors like finance and healthcare. His portfolio includes the Centre for Legal and Business Studies (CLBS), offering legal education in partnership with UK universities and executive training for the financial sector.
Hugues Levecq
Hugues LEVECQ is Deputy Dean of ESSEC Africa. He joined Essec in 2008 as the Associate Dean for the Specialized Masters. He was appointed Dean of the Global BBA in 2013, a program he ran and developed until 2021.
He holds an MBA and a PhD form the Stern School of Business, New York University. His research interests are in the field of market microstructure, and the design of electronic markets.
He was an Assistant Professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and held a similar position at Baruch College, CUNY, until returning to France in 2003.
He is dedicated to the development of higher education in Africa, leveraging ESSEC Africa to enhance diversity and build bridges between the continent and the rest of the world, providing African students with international mobility opportunities.
Vincenzo VINZI
Vincenzo Vinzi is the Dean and President of ESSEC Business School, a position he's held since 2018. He's an internationally recognized expert in statistics, with numerous publications and citations to his name. In addition to his role at ESSEC, Vinzi serves on several boards, including CentraleSupélec and the American Chamber of Commerce in France. He's also deeply involved in academic organizations, where he contributes to accreditation and advisory efforts.
Angela Ndunge
Angela Ndunge currently serves as an AABS Board Member, and Deputy Executive Dean at Strathmore Business School (SBS), where she also holds the position of a full-time Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Leadership. She has earned an MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Psychology from the University of Nottingham (UK). Additionally, Dr. Ndunge is recognized as a chartered member of The British Psychological Society, highlighting her expertise in the field.
Ian O. Williamson
During his 22-year career, Williamson has served on several academic committees and the boards of directors for a variety of nonprofit organizations. In addition, he has provided expert insights in the areas of organizational innovation and employee recruitment and retention to executives in more than 20 countries across six continents for companies such as CBRE, PwC, Lockheed Martin, Nestle, and Accenture.
Nacho Zabaleta
Nacho Zabaleta, CFA, is the Executive Director of the Canary Islands Business School, where he has been a Finance Professor for over 20 years. He holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, an MBA in International Banking from Texas A&M International University, and a Master of Science in Finance from Montpellier Business School. With more than 15 years of experience in financial inclusion, Nacho has worked as a consultant and researcher across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. A passionate advocate for education as a tool for global improvement, he is the author of Las Sin Banco (The Bankless), a book on microfinance, and the host of Hablar por Hablar, a financial literacy program on Spain’s top radio station, SER Radio.
Ali Elquammah
Dr AliElquammah, based out of Morocco, is currently the Dean of HEM Business School.At HEM Business School. Dr. Elquammah isalso a Professor and Director in charge of all issues and matters pertaining tothe organization internationally such as international relations andaccreditations. Prior to this, he occupied many positions as a GeneralSecretary attached to the President of HEM, Director of the ExecutiveEducation, Director of International Affairs. Prior to HEM BS, he was a SeniorAnalyst - Business Intelligence at EchoStar Corporation in the United States.He has also worked as a Senior Information Analyst at Merrill Lynch for fiveyears.
He holds aPhD in Management Sciences, an MBA, and a Master of Science in ComputerInformation Systems. His majorprofessional/academic work includes articles and case studies on thehomeostasis of stability and change to succeed an implementation of an EnterpriseSystem. Dr Elquammah has become Chairman of the Board of the Association forAfrican Business Schools (AABS) in January 2018, a member of the SteeringCommittee of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD-MEA)since 2012, and a member of the steering committee of PRME (Principles ofResponsible Management Education) since 2016. He has an overall experience ofover 28 years in the Higher Education field and the IT & DigitalTransformation industry both in Morocco and in the United States.
Piet Naudé
With expertise in theological ethics, particularly in politics, economics, and business, Piet previously held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. He is an active public speaker, regularly addressing NGOs, businesses, and cultural organizations. His book on the Belhar Confession earned the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize for academic literature.
Agenda
Tuesday
November
12
14h00
Transfer from ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal to ESSEC Campus
15h00 - 19h00
Pre-Forum Workshop: Establishing a Successful Executive Education Strategy for African Business Schools
Executive Education is a form of education delivered by business schools designed for executives, business leaders, and managers. The existence of Executive Education can be traced back more than 100 years in the USA and has been described as a global multi-billion-dollar industry. However, this trend has not been so popular in Africa although the potential to develop Executive Education is massive. This course aims to provide attendees with the salient aspects of how to implement and execute a successful executive education strategy in their business school.
19h15
Transfer from ESSEC Campus to ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal
Please note that all times in this agenda are in the Rabat time zone (GMT+1).
Wednesday
November
13
08h00
Transfer from ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal to Tour
08h00 - 14h30
Tour and Lunch
Embark on a captivating journey through Rabat's historical treasures with our curated walking tour. We'll commence our exploration at the majestic Bab Elhed, a gateway to the city's rich past. Next, we'll delve into the serene beauty of the Andalusian Gardens within the Kasbah des Oudayas, a haven of tranquility.
A short stroll through the vibrant Medina will lead us to the iconic Hassan Tower, a testament to architectural grandeur. We'll then uncover the ancient Roman and Merinid ruins at Chellah, a site steeped in history. Our tour will likely conclude at the Villa des Arts, a hub of contemporary creativity.
To ensure your comfort, we'll provide a refreshing bottle of water and a revitalizing snack before we set off.*
*Please note that the tour schedule and destinations may be adjusted if necessary.
14h30
Transfer from Tour to ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal
17h30
Transfer from ONOMO Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal to Fairmont Hotel
18h00 - 19h30
Welcome Cocktail | The Fairmont Hotel
19h30
Transfer from Fairmont Hotel to ONOMO Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal
20h00
Free Evening for Participants
Please note that all times in this agenda are in the Rabat time zone (GMT+1).
Thursday
November
14
08h40
Transfer from ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal to ESSEC Campus
09h00 - 09h30
Registration, Networking and Refreshments
09h30 - 10h00
Welcome Note
● Vincenzo Vinzi, Dean and President of ESSEC Business School, Morocco
● Jon Foster-Pedley, AABS Chairman and Dean at Henley Business School Africa, South Africa
10h00 - 10h15
Keynote Speech: Morocco's Evolving Higher Education Landscape
10h15 - 10h30
Keynote Discussion
● Hugues Levecq, Deputy Dean of ESSEC Business School, Morocco
10h30 - 11h15
Keynote Panel: Negotiating Change: Insights from Morocco
This keynote panel will delve into Morocco's experience with negotiating change within different sectors against a backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the strategies and approaches that have enabled Moroccan institutions to navigate and thrive amid local and global shifts with a perspectives on how to leverage change as an opportunity and develop resilient negotiation strategies.
● Nezha Hayat, Chairwoman, Moroccan Capital Market Authority, ESSEC Alumna and Co-founder, Club of Women Directors, Morocco
● Mohammed Methqal, Ambassador-Director General Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, Morocco
● Moderator: Hamid Bouchikhi - Head of the Department of Management ESSEC Business School, Morocco
11h15 - 11h45
Coffee Break
11h45 - 12h30
Strategic Adaptation: How African Business Schools are Shaping Their Future in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape
This session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how African business schools are positioning themselves strategically in the face of global and regional shifts, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of negotiation practices in the subsequent workshop.
12h30 - 13h15
Introduction to Workshop: The Geopolitical Context of African Business Schools
The session will prompt participants to share their insights on the geopolitical context impacting African Business Schools. It will provide an overview of African geopolitics, covering governance, opportunities, conflicts, demographics, and international influences, while emphasizing the necessity for African Business Schools to understand their geopolitical landscape at both regional and global levels. The discussion will then transition to strategies for Deans and Directors to effectively engage and influence policymakers through smart negotiation.
13h15 - 13h30
Group Picture
13h30 - 14h15
Networking Lunch at ESSEC
14h30 - 16h30
Workshop: 10 Best Practices to Influence and Conduct Smart Negotiations
The session will assist participants in identifying priority policymakers to engage with. Participants will engage in teamwork sessions followed by plenary discussions. The sessions will focus on building connections with key stakeholders and preparing for negotiation meetings. The format will encourage peer learning and sharing experiences among Deans and Directors, equipping participants with ten best practices for negotiation that they can implement immediately
16h30 - 16h45
Wrap up of the day
● Hugues Levecq, Deputy Dean of ESSEC Business School, Morocco
17h00
Transfer from ESSEC Campus to ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal
19h00
Transfer from ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal to Gala Dinner
19h00 - 22h00
Gala Dinner | Dar Chrifa
22h00
Transfer from Dar Chrifa to ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal
Please note that all times in this agenda are in the Rabat time zone (GMT+1).
Friday
November
15
08h45
Transfer from ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal to ESSEC Campus
09h00 - 09h30
Registration, Networking and Refreshments
09h30 - 09h45
The Future of Lifelong and Executive Education: Leveraging Data for Successful Negotiations
Sponsored by CarringtonCrisp
● Ian Hawkings, Director, Business School Services at CarringtonCrisp, United Kingdom
09h45 - 10h00
Collaboration and Resource Sharing: Building Negotiation Capacity Across African Business Schools
Sponsored by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
10h00 - 11h00
Forging Partnerships at National and Local Levels
This session aims to provide practical insights and strategies for African business schools seeking to enhance their interactions with political authorities and drive positive change in their educational environments.
● Vincenzo Vinzi, Dean and President of ESSEC Business School, Morocco
● Cosme Almeida, Abroad Programs Director at Católica Porto Business School, Portugal
● Angela Ndunge, AABS Board Member | Strathmore University Business School (SBS), Kenya
● Raul Villamarin Rodriguez, Vice President of Woxsen University, India
● Moderator: Nacho Zabaleta, Executive Director and Finance Professor at the Canary Islands Business School (CIBS), Spain
11h00 - 12h00
Negotiating the Global Landscape
This session brings together leading executives in academia who have firsthand experience engaging with international bodies, foreign embassies, international organizations, and development banks. They will share their insights and strategies for navigating the complex and the relevant dynamic geopolitical landscape where they operate, specifically focusing on fostering collaboration and partnerships.
● Ian Williamson, Dean at University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business, United States
12h00 - 12h30
Break
12h30 - 13h30
Shaping the Future: Think Tanks, NGOs, and Accreditation Bodies in African Business Education
This session will showcase the diverse ways in which think tanks, NGOs, and accreditation bodies contribute to the advancement of African business education. Participants will hear from representatives from influential think tanks, NGOs, and accreditation bodies who play a vital role in shaping the landscape of African business education. These organizations, while not wielding direct political power, possess significant influence through their expertise, advocacy, and ability to forge strategic partnerships.
● Helmi Hemmami, AABS Accreditation Chair and Dean of ESLSCA Business School, Egypt
● Piet Naude, Professor of Ethics and former Director of the University of Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa, Director in the Quality Services division of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD Global), South Africa
13h30 - 13h45
Summary of Conference and Key Takeaways
● Hugues Levecq, Deputy Dean of ESSEC Business School, Morocco
13h45 - 14h00
Closing Address and Next Year Forum Announcment
● Jon Foster-Pedley, AABS Chairman and Dean at Henley Business School Africa, South Africa
● Raul Villamarin Rodriguez, Vice President of Woxsen University, India
15h00
Transfer from ESSEC Campus to ONOMO Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Hotel Atlantic Adgal
Please note that all times in this agenda are in the Rabat time zone (GMT+1).
Registration Prices
Forum Standard Pricing* Register starting from Sunday, October 13, 2024:
*All Prices Excluding PayPal fees
Sponsors
At AABS, we offer flexible sponsorship options designed to meet various goals and budgets. Sponsors can choose from three tiers, each providing a range of benefits to maximize visibility and engagement with our network. Additionally, we offer over 20+ add-ons to further tailor your sponsorship experience, allowing for customized branding opportunities, speaking slots, and enhanced networking access to ensure your brand stands out and achieves its objectives.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact us at communication@aabschools.com
Establishing a Successful Executive Education Strategy for African Business Schools
Facilitated by: Kevin Sibartie | AABS Board Member and Director, CLBS, Mauritius
Overview:
Executive Education is a form of education delivered by business schools designed for executives, business leaders, and managers. The existence of Executive Education can be traced back more than 100 years in the USA and has been described as a global multi-billion-dollar industry. However, this trend has not been so popular in Africa although the potential to develop Executive Education is massive. This course aims to provide attendees with the salient aspects of how to implement and execute a successful executive education strategy in their business school.
12th November 2024
ESSEC Business School, Rabat, Morocco
15h00 to 18h15 (3 hours with a 15-minute break) followed by networking
