New president of the Australian Business Deans Council, Professor Michael Powell, believes the Council’s role is as important today as it was in 2002, when it was established to represent Australia’s higher education business faculties and schools.
Comprising 40 member institutions across the country, the ABDC’s aim is to promote excellence in business education and research, and recognition of their value and contribution to the Australian economy and community in general.
“A new information age has emerged on the back of the digital revolution, making the world a smaller and faster place to do business,” Professor Powell, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) at Griffith University, said.
“Everything now moves at a different pace, from the unpredictability of the share market to a retail sector wrestling with a two-speed Australian economy to international enterprise adapting to the implications of the Asian Century.
“The university sector has a responsibility to ensure business education keeps up with this evolving landscape. Through an organisation like the Australian Business Deans Council we continue to keep our finger on the business pulse through sustained communication and consultation across industry.
“In this way we strive to inform the curricula of business schools and faculties around Australia, and focus research on priority areas.”
Professor Powell succeeds Professor Alec Cameron, Dean of the Australian School of Business (UNSW), following a term as interim president which started last November.
He has served on the ABDC Executive for four years as treasurer and vice president.
He is also a member of the Initial Accreditation Committee of AACSB International, chair of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative and a board member of the Global Foundation for Management Education (a joint committee of the AACSB and EFMD).
“By proactively monitoring business programs in a practical and relevant context, we aim to ensure business students are exposed to the most up-to-date subjects and information.
“Keeping business education on the front foot has never been as important.”
The ABDC is made up of business faculties and schools of Australian universities that offer degree level courses in business, commerce, economics and management.
Among its primary concerns is the improvement of business education through curriculum development, and forging strong relationships with the business community and government.
The Council also has a strong focus on research and development activity to enhance the understanding of business and the key drivers of economic activity, and continues to forge and maintain key links with leading organisations around the world.