First African business school round-table

Leaders of business schools in Africa and elsewhere gathered in Egypt last week to discuss effective ways to enhance their institutions' roles in helping the continent grapple with food security challenges, and to forge academic collaborations aimed at tackling African problems.

The unique round-table was an initiative of the business school at the American University in Cairo, and was attended by business deans and managers in key food companies.

"I think it is very important for us to get together to discuss the practical issues in business to make a difference in Africa," Jonathan Cook, chair of the Association of African Business Schools, told University World News.

For him, the Cairo event provided a good chance for leaders of business schools and the corporate world to compare notes on "points of leverage" in Africa.

"This continent has the potential to grow. But to tap in this potential, we need managers in schools to understand the opportunities for growth," said Cook, who is also executive director of the Gordon Institute of Business Science at South Africa's University of Pretoria.

Inaugurating the event Sherif Kamal, dean of the business school at the American University in Cairo, said the round-table was focused on promoting management education in Africa by constantly improving such areas as the curriculum, prioritising research and linking business schools to the corporate world.

The day-long gathering was held under the theme "Food Crisis Challenges and Opportunities for Supply Chain Excellence".

Speakers concurred that the main objectives were to identify current gaps and develop possible collaborative projects and activities among business schools to achieve a positive impact on curbing food shortage in Africa. The event coincided with an acute drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, mainly in Somalia.

"By getting around a table to discuss these things, we can begin to identify the points of leverage," said Cook.

"I think too often we continue doing our curriculum year after year. But by stopping to think about where we are going and by hearing from each other about the most effective ways of achieving this, we can direct our energy to the point of making the most difference."

The round-table was the first of its kind in Africa. According to Cook, the next event is due to be held next May in Lagos, Nigeria.

To Wafaa El Garah, dean of the school of business administration at Al-Akhawayn University in Morocco, the event was an eye-opener.