26 February 2015. 26 February 2015. In 2013, the international IBM group opened the first of its twelve global research laboratories on the African continent in Nairobi. The American Academy of Management organised a conference in South Africa for the first time since its foundation in 1936. African business schools have formed an association. All this constitutes a good reason for the international community of business universities to ask themselves how they could become respectable partners for education and business in Africa.

A contribution towards a stable society

In the panel discussion, the following questions will be raised: African universities are facing the great challenge of making a contribution towards the establishment of a stable and fair economic order and society. How can the now predominantly emerging economic faculties at universities and business schools benefit from the experience of international business universities? How can the latter enter into partnerships to assist in a contribution towards strengthening students’ ability to enter the labour market, towards an entrepreneurial culture of research and innovation, and towards economic development? What societal and economic opportunities would arise from this for Eastern Switzerland in terms of the education of executives with the aim of also establishing business relations with African companies?

Panel discussion at the HSG

The event will take place on Thursday, 5 March 2015, from 4.15-5.45 p.m. and will be followed by an aperitif. The discussion will be held in Room 09-012 in the Main Building of the University of St.Gallen; it will be conducted in English. The debate will be moderated by Jürgen Brücker, Dean of External Relationships & Development of the University of St.Gallen.

The panel will consist of the following personalities:

• Nelly Akoth, Chief Financial Officer at IBM Middle East and Africa

• Mumbi Wachira, doctoral student at the University of St.Gallen and Graduate Assistant at Strathmore University in Nairobi

• Stephan Kuhn, Head of Taxes, Ernst & Young, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA)

• Peter Gomez, Professor emeritus, former president University of St.Gallen, Executive Board GBSN

• Guy Pfeffermann, Chairman and CEO of the Global Business School Network (GBSN)

Commitment of Business Schools in Africa
The HSG offers five partnerships and exchange programmes with universities in the focal regions of East and South Africa. Visiting faculty from Africa and HSG faculty teach courses on sociology, cultural sciences and economic practices in Africa at the Bachelor’s and Master’s Levels.

The HSG and the GBSN offer outstanding young African researchers scholarships for participation in the HSG Summer School in Empirical Research Methods (SSERM). On 2 October 2015, the Africa Economic Forum will take place in St.Gallen for the first time. During a one-day conference, experts from economy and society will discuss Africa’s economic environment with students and the HSG’s Africa Alumni Club.

Foto: Photocase / cydonna