AIM equips Asean's next leaders for evolving business landscape
The Asean economic integration this year may be a massive leap towards the "Asian Century", but it does not come without risks and challenges. The success of the anticipated era rests heavily on Asia's decision-makers in the public and private sectors, whose collaboration is integral to the region's economic growth.
The Asean economic integration this year may be a massive leap towards the "Asian Century", but it does not come without risks and challenges. The success of the anticipated era rests heavily on Asia's decision-makers in the public and private sectors, whose collaboration is integral to the region's economic growth.
"Equipping Asia's young and upcoming business leaders with the skills to navigate an evolving global landscape in the Asean context is imperative now more than ever," says Steven DeKrey, president of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). "With the upcoming integration, this means preparing management for that huge new market of 600 million people and their different cultures."
The pioneer in Asia's international management education, AIM recognises that such preparation goes beyond the knowledge of concepts and technologies. With the mission to develop practising managers in Asia's emerging markets, the institute was established through the collaboration of Asian business leaders, academicians and the Harvard Business School - from which it has inherited the student-centred case method.
"There may be 10 schools in the world that have AIM's level of student-centred learning," DeKrey says. "Why does it matter? Leadership positions require quick thinking, communication, collaboration, teamwork, analysis, negotiation and decision-making - all of which are developed through the case method."
AIM offers a Master in Business Administration programme with full-time and executive options, a Master in Development Management programme, and open enrolment and customised programmes for business and non-business organisations.
Approaching its 50th anniversary, AIM is intensifying its Asean focus with innovative programmes and initiatives such as the Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development Management. Launched in 2013, the school seeks to prepare leaders of government and non-government organisations for their roles in the developing Asean region.
"As an applied management and business-focused school, we are deeply connected with various industry leaders in the region. Our case studies are also aimed at addressing specific industry issues and problems," DeKrey says.
Among AIM's distinctive research centres is the TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Leadership, whose objective is to develop "bridging leaders" to help ease societal divides in Asia and the Philippines, particularly in the conflict-stricken region of Mindanao.
Working towards its vision of being the global source of Asean talent, insights and wisdom, AIM is designing more relevant programmes and hiring additional faculty members while reducing class sizes to increase the quality of its student-centred education. AIM has conducted continuous curriculum reviews over the years and implemented the Assurance of Learning Program, which measures how much students learn against learning goals and objectives. Meanwhile, learning laboratories and research collaboration teams supervised by the faculty have been created within the community to help spur knowledge sharing.
AIM is also promoting a deeper understanding of diverse cultures and insights through its International Student Exchange Program, which lets AIM students spend a term at any of the institute's more than 30 partner learning institutions in Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas.
The institute is likewise partnering with more proactive, forward-thinking organisations overseas such as the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM). Pioneered by the Yale School of Management, GNAM is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among the world's leading business schools. Member schools include INSEAD, London Business School, IE, IPADE and the National University of Singapore.
"The network is valuable to AIM, and the partners all want to collaborate more on multiple fronts. We have signed a memorandum of understanding with Yale for a joint degree offering, enabling students from both schools to be connected and have access to the wealth of resources between Yale and AIM," DeKrey says. "We aim to attract the best partners, faculty members, case teachers and students who want to take advantage of the exciting changes and growth opportunities happening in Asia."
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