CBA Becomes Founding Member of MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability

Dean Akinola Fadahunsi was recently in Doha to participate in the 6th International Conference on  ‘Entrepreneurship for Sustainability and Impact’ (ESI), hosted by Qatar University from October 17^th-19^th 2023. During the conference, a first-of-its-kind regional alliance of AACSB-accredited business schools in the Middle East and North Africa region was launched with the active endorsement of AACSB to promote sustainability in the region. Fourteen business schools spread across Eight countries in the MENA region inaugurated the MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability (MEBAS) and became its founding members including Qatar University, American University of Beirut, ESCA École de Management, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, University of Cyprus, Kuwait University, American University of Kuwait, Qassim University, King Saud University, University of Dubai, Abu Dhabi University, the American University in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates University, and Ajman University.

The launch of MEBAS marks a concerted effort to connect business schools in the MENA region in recognition of their potential collective impact on the future of business in the region. The alliance aims to enhance sustainability in higher education with its three main pillars: improving the educational experience for students by integrating sustainability concepts into the academic curriculum, promoting collaborative scientific research in the field of sustainability and climate change, as well as developing community engagement initiatives aimed at driving sustainable practices in the public sector and wider business community.

Speaking on the alliance, Dean Akinola said “Knowledge transfer is one of the most powerful forces that will help the MENA region achieve its sustainability goals by producing actionable insights and transforming mindsets. With the shared resources, networks, and intellectual capital contained within MEBAS, it is well-placed to play a leading role in achieving sustainable change in the MENA region”.