Business school deans and delegates from more than 30 countries will be in Sydney on 18 to 20 November as part of the Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS) Annual Meeting, hosted by the UNSW Business School.



The primary purpose of the AAPBS is to provide leadership and representation to advance the quality of business and management education in the Asia-Pacific region.  




Networking key to ‘the future of work’ 





UNSW Business School’s focus on high impact research and sustainable two-way engagement with Asia strongly aligns with UNSW’s 2025 Strategy to position the Sydney institution as ‘Australia’s Global University’. The annual meeting builds on this work, with the opportunity to share knowledge and research insights across the region.



The AAPBS network members will tackle common problems facing business schools today, with discussion taking place within the overarching theme of ‘the Future of Work’.





Professor Chris Styles, Dean UNSW Business School explained: “The nature of work has changed profoundly over the past two decades. We have to adjust the way we teach business, to nurture the skill set that business leaders and managers will require, and to acknowledge the technical competence business leaders will need.



“Disruption of business models, the imperative to innovate, readiness for work, and an employment market dominated by the gig economy and online platforms, mean students will need a flexible and broad skill set.” 





A focus on diversity 





As part of the AAPBS’s meeting, up to 100 delegates will arrive from across the Asia-Pacific. Professor Styles emphasised the importance of engaging with the UNSW Business School’s international counterparts.



“Being an international business school means a lot more than just being a popular destination for international students. It also means engaging with leading business schools around the world and making decisions informed by a deep knowledge of their challenges, opportunities and actions.



“Almost all business schools are responding to the changing environment in creative ways but their innovation often takes different forms. Sharing experiences provides others with a more comprehensive understanding of the environment within which they make decisions.”



As well as the deans sharing their extensive and diverse experiences, key presentations will be provided by a range of speakers including from professional service firms, venture capitalists and start-ups.



“I am delighted to host the AAPBS Annual Meeting in Sydney,” Professor Chris Styles said.   





“UNSW Business School has long been a member of the AAPBS and we joined the governing council in 2016. I am proud to host this important network which provides leadership and representation to advance the quality of business and management education across the region.”



The 2018 AAPBS Annual Meeting will be held at UNSW Sydney, Kensington campus and the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney in the Circular Quay area of Sydney.