October 23rd, 2014: Dr. Nnamdi Madichie, a professor of business at The Graduate School, Canadian University Dubai, has contributed to the international debate on the future of research into ‘investment for development’ at the United Nations World Investment Forum 2014.
Dr. Madichie was among a multidisciplinary team of academics – including professors from Oxford University, the National University of Singapore, University of Bern, The Graduate Institute (Geneva) and New York University – who were invited to take part in a round table discussion to help shape a policy-orientated research agenda on investment for sustainability, for the next 15 years and beyond.
Organized by the Unites Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Investment Forum is a platform for international leaders and stakeholders to debate and promote investment flows that contribute to sustainable and inclusive development across the globe. The biennial event brings together heads of state, global CEOs, academic experts, and leaders of international organizations and civil society groups from 150 countries.
As a member of the Academy of International Business and the Editor in Chief of the African Journal of Business & Economic Research, Dr. Madichie was invited to participate in the round table based on his expertise and research in higher education policies across emerging markets. Discussions focussed upon how policy plays a vital role in ensuring that corporate investment is beneficial to the territories, communities and individuals it is directed towards.
Dr. Madichie said, “The forum was an extremely valuable opportunity to come together, not only with academics, but with policy-makers and industry representatives to discuss how we can embrace a trilateral network in supporting sustainable development strategies.
“I have conducted extensive research in the area - from the business of higher education to the development of women’s entrepreneurship, especially in the context of emerging markets, including Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East – and it was pleasing to be able to draw upon this to contribute to the discussions.”
Dr. Madichie’s session culminated in the launch of the Business Schools for Impact, a UNCTAD initiative that aims to support business schools to contribute to sustainable development in the poorest areas of the world, by teaching the skills required to invest and operate in low-income environments with positive social impact.
The four-day event, which is widely regarded as the most important gathering of stakeholders in the international investment community, also tackled the issue of investment in women’s empowerment and gender equality, another of Dr. Madichie’s research interests.
Dr. Madichie revealed, “With dignitaries such as Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary General, UNCTAD; and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director, UNWOMEN, this was a memorable session for me. I was pleased to have Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka respond to my question on the role of higher education in sustainable development and to acknowledge the importance of a policy agenda in that direction.”
Gallery
