The NileView

A 15-Day Marathon: Business Schools as Conveners of Inclusive Discussions to Explore Opportunities, Bridge Perspectives, and Promote Collaborative Change

Business schools have sought to bridge the crucial gap between academia and the business world for decades. Recently, there has been an increased focus on societal needs, with attention directed toward scaling impact across society, rather than being limited to linking academic theory and business practices and addressing corporate needs.

In today’s world, business schools are uniquely positioned to become primary stakeholders in society, bridging the gap between what is taught and the global current affairs that impact people, businesses, markets, and communities worldwide. They can foster effective collaboration and drive meaningful change by facilitating open, constructive dialogue among various stakeholders, including businesses, government, and civil society organizations. This edition of the NileView aims to explore the role of business schools as conveners and connectors of diverse stakeholders in society, driving societal impact and influencing policy through enhanced academic offerings and community development initiatives that reflect the needs of societies.

In recent decades, guest lecturing, internships, case studies, co-op programs, company visits, on-the-job training, and joint projects with business and industry have served as the primary engagement activities that business schools employ to bridge the gap between theory and practice. However, several questions come to mind: Have these interactions been sufficient? Have they made the intended impact? Have business schools adapted to global changes? Can business schools do more? If so, what and how?

In a rapidly evolving global landscape, the role of business schools as connectors of various stakeholders and conveners of different conversations—employing a balanced approach to address the needs of diverse enterprises and emerging societal concerns—has never been more vital. At the heart of their vision, mission, strategic objectives, and goals, business schools increasingly serve as hubs of innovation and thought leadership. In a fast-paced and changing environment, business schools cannot—and should not—operate in silos or focus solely on offering academic degrees. In an era of ongoing transformations and accelerations of various shapes and forms, business schools are becoming more crucial than ever as key players and important stakeholders in society. Through their multiple offerings, they shape the minds of future leaders—leaders who should be principled, ethical, visionary, and capable of navigating a dynamically changing global space that can never be fully realized through a learner-centered experience primarily confined to the classroom. Accordingly, the boundaries of their ecosystem should extend well beyond the campus.

By fostering partnerships and dialogue with business associations, corporations, startups, government organizations, civil society, and peer academic institutions, business schools can better align their academic offerings with the evolving needs of the market. This alignment ensures that learners are exposed to diverse experiences and engaged in a variety of conversations with peers from around the world, as well as with scholars, experts, and professionals from different businesses and industries with various backgrounds and cultures. Consequently, they will be better positioned to possess the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a dynamic environment. It is imperative that business schools continually update their curricula to reflect the realities of the business world and integrate emerging topics, such as digital transformation, climate change, sustainability, governance, and ethical leadership.

Impactful and sustainable collaboration begins with a simple yet focused open discussion. Institutions take the time to get to know one another and foster collaboration. Business schools host conferences, forums, roundtable discussions, workshops, and seminars that gather voices from various sectors, sometimes from different parts of the world. These events provide platforms for exchanging ideas, identifying opportunities for growth and innovation, discussing challenges, and sharing experiences and lessons learned. These interactions not only enhance the academic curriculum but also influence policy, fostering a more sustainable and socially responsible business environment. Furthermore, business schools play a vital role in promoting interdisciplinary research that addresses complex global challenges, such as climate change, inequality, and technological disruption. These collaborations often lead to the creation of joint degree programs and research initiatives that transcend traditional academic boundaries, producing graduates who are well-prepared to tackle multifaceted issues.

Beyond the walls of academia, business schools serve as intermediaries between students and the professional world. Through internships, mentorship programs, and real-world projects, they enable direct interaction between students and industry professionals. These experiences not only provide students with valuable insights into the business world but also help businesses remain connected to academia. Students often act as conduits for transferring cutting-edge knowledge from the classroom to the workplace. Furthermore, by leveraging their research capabilities, business schools influence policy, providing policymakers with evidence-based insights that contribute to informed decision-making processes. These collaborations and partnerships enrich the academic experience and prepare graduates to navigate and lead in an interconnected world. The following is an example of a business school that consistently aims to be a convener, fostering conversations and discussions about important societal issues.

From May 13 to 27, 2025, the Onsi Sawiris School of Business experienced a 15-day marathon featuring a diverse range of discussions on global affairs, the economy, inflation, trade globalization, women in business, doing business in Egypt, women in leadership, entrepreneurship and technology, the future of executive education, and more. Throughout these discussions, the school acted as a convener and connector for scholars, experts, professionals, policymakers, students, alumni, and corporate partners. Here are some highlights from the two weeks of packed discussions.

On the morning of May 13, the school launched the 7^th edition of the annual monitoring report of Egypt’s Women on Boards (WoB) Observatory, themed “Potential Opportunities: Turning Measured Progress Into Lasting Impact.” In 2014, the school led a consortium of local and regional partners to promote diversity and inclusion on boards. The initiative evolved into a national program with an initial target of 30% women on boards by 2030. The first annual monitoring report of Egypt’s WoB Observatory was published in 2017. The 2024 results show that the WoB indicator reached 24.3%, up from 10% in 2019. If the initiative maintains its current momentum, it could meet its target before 2030. However, 2024 witnessed a relative slowdown in the placement of WoB, reflecting an increase of only 1% compared to an average annual increment of 3% over the past few years. This slowdown will necessitate greater efforts to enhance the placement rate of women on boards and ultimately improve gender diversity. The event featured a panel on “Breaking Barriers: Policies, Progress and Persistent Gaps in Women’s Board Representation," attracting 70 women leaders along with other participants and organizational partners, including the Egyptian Exchange, the Central Bank of Egypt, the Financial Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Public Enterprise Sector, D-CODE Economic and Financial Consulting, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and CEO Women.

On May 13, the school hosted 66 MBA graduate students from Harvard Business School as part of the FIELD Global Immersion Program, a required course for first-year MBA students in the spring 2025 semester. During their campus visit, the students participated in an innovation project with a local company, engaging with customers, gathering insights, and brainstorming solutions. They also discussed their projects with their peers from the school’s MBA program, gaining their reflections on the local market. On the one hand, such an exchange was crucial for refining their project outcomes; on the other hand, it provided students from both schools with an opportunity to experience different perspectives and engage in dynamic conversations. All students were invited to attend a fireside chat with Ambassador Sameh Shoukry, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, providing an opportunity for discussion on cross-cultural learning, and Egypt’s role in the region and the world.

On May 14, the school launched Digitelles Misr. A custom hybrid program designed to empower 100 women in Egypt with in-demand digital freelancing skills, focusing on digital marketing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The program is a year-long initiative consisting of four cohorts, each lasting six weeks and accommodating 25 participants. This enables them to expand their reach beyond national borders, compete in the global freelance market, and contribute to Egypt’s digital future and inclusive growth. By addressing the tech gender gap, the program aims to create a diverse pipeline of women freelancers and innovators while developing new career paths for women and fostering greater inclusion in Egypt’s tech industry, which has historically been underrepresented. The program is not just about learning digital skills; it promotes mentorship and equips women with the technical and networking abilities necessary to succeed in freelancing–from navigating online platforms to presenting themselves professionally, crafting their résumés, developing strong and effective communication skills, and gaining insights into the legal and financial frameworks of freelancing, all while being driven by an entrepreneurial mindset. The initiative, a joint partnership among Capgemini, the school’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Women Entrepreneurs Network, and EG Bank as community partners, showcases the school’s commitment to gender equality and collaboration with various stakeholders, including private enterprises and civil society organizations. The event was attended by 50 women from partner organizations across Egypt.

On May 18-19, the school hosted the inaugural International Monetary Fund (IMF)-Middle East North Africa (MENA) Research Conference on “Steering Macroeconomic and Structural Policies in A Shifting Global Economic Landscape.”This is the first annual economic research conference co-organized by the IMF and an academic institution in the region. The conference brought together esteemed international and regional academics, researchers, and policymakers to exchange ideas on globally relevant economic and policy issues. The event aimed to create a forum for dialogue and knowledge sharing, promote policy-oriented academic research, and foster collaboration to enhance economic understanding in the MENA region. It also sought to strengthen research capabilities within ministries of finance and central banks. The conference was attended by 166 scholars from 23 countries, as well as senior researchers and economists from the IMF. The agenda included rebuilding margins while addressing inequalities, monetary policy, financial stability, navigating inflation, returning to industrial policy, identifying market-based solutions, the green transition, artificial intelligence, and the future of work and jobs, as well as the path forward for the MENA region amid constant disruptions and a changing global landscape.

From May 20 to 22, the school hosted the University-Based Executive Education Consortium (UNICON) Directors’ Conference, themed “Transforming Executives’ Education: Innovative Strategies for a Dynamic Business Landscape.” The conference brought together senior leaders, deans, and directors of executive education to exchange ideas, insights, and perspectives, fostering a workforce that is future-ready to meet the demands of a changing global business environment. The event attracted a record attendance of 90 representatives from business schools across 29 countries, providing our faculty with the opportunity to engage with executive education experts from the UNICON network, explore potential collaboration opportunities, and discuss the future of executive education in light of global developments, the varying needs of different markets within their local contexts, and the acceleration of artificial intelligence’s impact. Additionally, it focused on aligning with learner-centered experiences and breaking down the silos between degree offerings and executive education to strengthen the connection and ensure seamless integration between theory and practice.

On May 24-25, the school hosted the annual African Association of Business Schools (AABS) Connect Conference, also celebrating the association’s 20^th anniversary. The conference theme, “From Africa to the World: Showcasing African Excellence,” was evident in the sessions and panel discussions, highlighting Africa’s transformative role in shaping the future of global business education. The event highlighted the significant impact of African innovation, the enduring legacy of African institutions' success, and the essential contributions of African business schools to the global community. The conference attracted 80 representatives from 29 countries across the continent.

On May 26, the school launched “Futuremakers Women in Tech Egypt.” This three-month acceleration program supports visionary women entrepreneurs in building innovative startups through knowledge, mentorship, ecosystem exposure, and other opportunities, including $10K in equity-free funding for the top three winners. The program is organized by the school’s accelerator, the Venture Lab, and is supported by Village Capital, an international organization that unlocks early-stage social and financial capital for entrepreneurs developing emerging solutions to environmental, social, and economic challenges. The Standard Chartered Foundation funds the program.

On May 27, in celebration of Africa Day, the school organized a series of roundtable discussions on critical issues impacting Africa, including climate change, sustainability, demographics, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence. The one-day event, featuring three sessions, was organized in partnership with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Inside Business Education (IBE) by Times Higher Education, PRME Africa, and Business Schools for Climate Leadership (BS4CL) Africa. The primary goal was to tackle the major challenges facing Africa and encourage collaborative solutions through academic and professional engagement. This included examining the integration of artificial intelligence in learning and teaching, conducting interdisciplinary research on pertinent issues such as climate change and the skills gap in higher education, and strengthening the connection between academia and the private sector to promote long-term collaboration in executive education, applied research, and policy engagement. The event attracted 27 participants from business schools, business school associations, and private organizations across nine countries in Africa, Europe, and the United States.

This was a busy period for the school community, with faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, staff, corporate partners, and alumni participating in and observing various events, engaging in numerous discussions, challenging assumptions, and asking difficult questions based on their interests. These conversations centered on issues related to business education, the economy, gender equality, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, market dynamics, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of learning and work. Many ideas were explored, and suggestions were made for possible incorporation into the various offerings within the academic triangle of teaching and learning, research, and service, including executive education and community development.

Several key takeaways emerged from this packed 15-day marathon of intense school engagements with individuals and institutions locally and internationally. First, in a world characterized by immense pressure, uncertainty, and disruptions, clarity of purpose and focus are essential for all stakeholders. Business schools should operate as integrated, forward-looking ecosystems where silos have no place. Engaging with the private sector, policymakers, and civil society is necessary. Business schools must strive to create inclusive environments where diverse perspectives and voices of all stakeholders, including learners, can be heard and valued. Business schools should always reach out and engage with various stakeholders. Finally, it is crucial to continually review academic offerings, executive education programs, and community development initiatives to ensure they remain timely and relevant.

In conclusion, business schools are not merely centers of teaching and learning; they also have the potential to serve as vital connectors and conveners of conversations among society’s stakeholders. By aligning academic programs and research efforts with market and industry needs, influencing policy, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, business schools play a crucial role in developing skilled and adaptable leaders who are prepared to tackle both local and global challenges. As the world continues to evolve, the ability of business schools to unify diverse voices remains essential in driving innovation and achieving impact. Business schools should not only educate the leaders of tomorrow, but, more importantly, contribute to creating a more inclusive, sustainable, equitable, and prosperous society.

About the author: Sherif Kamel is a Professor of Management and Dean of the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo.

19 June 2025
Issue #52