Under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, INSEAD, the leading international business school, today held the second INSEAD Leadership Summit Middle East on Saadiyat Island. H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan delivered the key note speech on the intrinsically moral nature of sound leadership.

This year’s event addressed ‘The Challenge of Transformation: A Test of Leadership,’ with a focus on the region’s long-term aspirations in the face of rapid social and organisational change, leadership dynamics, corporate citizenship and evolving capitalism.

H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan noted that the UAE has been transforming itself for the past forty years guided brilliantly by leaders who passed the test of leadership. Sheikh Zayed, for example, “was deeply concerned for those people who were affected by his decisions and actions. He was always determined to discover what was morally right and always had the courage to do what was morally right. That is the bottom line that matters most. Those are the actions that will enable us to pass the test of leadership as we together work to transform Abu Dhabi.”

‘This year’s Leadership Summit has come at an opportune time as Abu Dhabi is undergoing historic and rapid transformation,’ said Dipak C. Jain, Dean of INSEAD. ‘Business enterprise has become increasingly important and is playing an active role in the regional and global economy.’

Subramanian Rangan, Professor of Strategy and Management and Faculty Lead for INSEAD’s Middle East Leadership Summit, added: ‘The next decade is critical to Abu Dhabi’s journey of transformation and holds the key to unlocking the vision for Abu Dhabi. The Summit is a great opportunity to discuss ways in which investments in leadership, human capital and entrepreneurial innovation will contribute to the development of a strong, sustainable economic system.’

The summit brought together prominent scholars, government officials, politicians and business leaders around the theme of ‘The Challenge of Transformation: A Test of Leadership.’ Antonio Fatás, Professor of Economics at INSEAD, spoke about the transformation of the world economy, followed by panel discussions on Abu Dhabi: The Journey of Transformation. INSEAD Professor of Strategy, Javier Gimeno. moderated a session on Transformation: Lessons Learned.

INSEAD Dean Dipak C. Jain was the Host and Master of Ceremony. The INSEAD Middle East Leadership Summit has been developed with the support of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and sponsored by Injazat Data Systems.

“As a member of the rapidly evolving ICT field, we fully understand the importance of change in the face of today’s shifting social, corporate and economic environments. We are therefore pleased to provide support for this Summit. We commend INSEAD for hosting discussions on how Abu Dhabi is, and should be, adapting to transformation as it pursues ambitious growth towards 2030. For its part, Injazat is fully committed to making its own key investments into resources, talents and capabilities to support the movement towards a robust and sustainable business and economic environment for Abu Dhabi,” said Ibrahim Lari, CEO, Injazat Data Systems.

We accept Guest Posts