To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Nottingham University Business School (UK, China and Malaysia) hosted a series of global events over the past year under the theme of "The Second Quarter Century". On 17 October, the deans of the three campuses reconvened with alumni and industry leaders from around the world for an online discussion focused on the future, marking a successful conclusion to the anniversary celebrations.
In 1998, the University of Nottingham's School of Management and Finance was renamed Nottingham University Business School and moved to Jubilee Campus (UK) the following year. In 2000, our Malaysia arm was established and in 2005 our presence on the China campus at Ningbo opened. Since then, Nottingham University Business School has developed into a prestigious global business school, spanning Europe and Asia, and holding the coveted triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. Today, the three campuses employ more than 400 staff members and serve over 7,000 students from 115 countries and regions.
As the final event of the 25th anniversary celebrations, this online gathering of the three campuses not only reviewed the remarkable achievements of Nottingham University Business School but also looked ahead to future trends and challenges in business management. Key topics such as sustainability, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and social impact were explored in depth.
Professor David Park, Dean of Nottingham University Business School, emphasized the need for the Business School to remain at the forefront of digital transformation and sustainability. Professor Kok Wei Khong, Dean of Nottingham University Business School China, pointed out that AI technology is not only changing the way businesses operate but also offering new innovation opportunities, particularly in healthcare management and corporate digital transformation. Professor David Goodwin, Dean of Nottingham University Business School Malaysia, discussed the future potential of the Southeast Asian market and its impact on global business.
During the interactive Q&A session, one participant raised a question about the gap between sustainability standards and real-world implementation, asking how this issue could be addressed in the education sector over the next 5 to 10 years. In response, Professor Kok Wei Khong noted that Nottingham University Business School has made sustainability a core focus and is working with external partners and industry leaders to update its curriculum, ensuring that students acquire practical skills to drive corporate carbon reduction initiatives.
Following this, the three deans each led panel discussions with global alumni and industry experts on key topics for the future of business education. These included Digital Transformation and the AI Revolution, Sustainable Futures in the Net Zero Economy, and Impact Through Innovation: Changemakers in the 21st Century.
The success of this event provided global alumni with the opportunity to engage directly with the deans of the three schools and industry experts, while also setting a clear direction for the future development of Nottingham University Business School. In his closing remarks, Professor David Park stated, "Nottingham University Business School will continue to uphold its commitment to globalization and innovation, striving to cultivate business leaders with a global perspective and contribute to the sustainable development of the global business landscape."
Click HERE for Nottingham University Business School's 25th-anniversary celebrations.