Professor Ken McPhail, the new Head of Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS – part of The University of Manchester), will lead the 2023 Middle East graduation event in Dubai, where he will address around 150 new graduates from the School’s MBA and University’s MA Educational Leadership in Practice programmes. He will also be a panellist at the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network annual MENA conference in Dubai, discussing the theme of ‘higher growth, lower emissions’. Professor McPhail will join University students and alumni volunteers at a mangrove planting project with social responsibility partner Emirates Marine Environmental Group in Dubai.
Professor McPhail took on his new role on 1st August 2023, after nine years with The University of Manchester as Vice Dean of Social Responsibility in the Faculty of Humanities, then Director of Research and Deputy Head of AMBS.
On his appointment, Professor McPhail said: “We are living in pivotal times for business, from climate change to global geopolitical upheaval and regional economic disparities. AMBS is recognised as an important and influential institution, combining world-class research across many different disciplines with real-world applications – more than 30 new start-ups are established in Manchester (every year, for example. My aim is to build on the great work done to establish the best teaching, technical and educational facilities and further grow AMBS’ impact globally.” AMBS supports a global community of 60,000 alumni.
Building the next generation of responsible leaders has always been at the business school’s core and with social responsibility at the heart of its teaching and research – and it remains so today. “AMBS is leading thinking on sustainable transition. I believe we have an important role to play in re-envisioning the next stage of business and economic development that will generate economic growth but also add social and environmental value. We will do this through encouraging passion for curiosity, innovation and lifelong learning, but we will also provide the skills business leaders will need.”
Professor McPhail stresses the importance of leaders preparing for and adapting to the ongoing “technological revolution”, with dynamic technologies like artificial intelligence playing an increasingly prominent role. While he acknowledges the disruptive potential, he says that it will also present some serious ethical and social questions.
“I’m passionate about the transformative power of business research and education, which has a vital role in creating prosperity and opportunity. In the UAE year of Sustainability and COP28, businesses and entrepreneurs here must also play a role in achieving Net Zero by overcoming the barriers to transition and seizing the opportunities it represents.”
In 2024, the University will mark its bicentenary and AMBS, and the Middle East Centre will be active through the year with opportunities for the regional community of students, alumni, and partners to engage and support the University. The Centre has recently introduced the first of its short business courses (delivered on campus) alongside its portfolio of part-time master’s programmes for working professionals.
