Hosted by the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), the conference brought together leaders of business schools and universities, faculty and researchers, business executives, entrepreneurs and CEEMAN partners to explore how management education can engage more actively with business, government and society.
From leadership to regional impact, digital transformation and sustainability
The conference began with visits to the Bucharest Stock Exchange and Amalin, followed by the Poster Session for Faculty and Researchers, led by Prof. Zoltan Buzady, and a dedicated session on CEEMAN International Quality Accreditation as an Accelerator for Development, led by Prof. Jim Ellert and Prof. Derek Abell.
CEEMAN partners Hardcastle and Associates and GMAC contributed a special workshop on Master’s Programmes for Regional Impact: Engaging Business, Government and Society, adding another perspective on how management programs can strengthen their connections with regional stakeholders.
The main conference opened with a memorable and highly interactive keynote by Prof. Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries of INSEAD. Through questions, interaction and humour, he brought leadership to life and reminded participants that understanding organizations begins with understanding people – and ourselves.
Across four main panels, our speakers then explored some of the questions that are shaping the future of management education.
We discussed the changing role and purpose of business schools in an increasingly uncertain world, bringing together perspectives from education and business from Ukraine, Romania, Slovenia and China.
We looked at place-based innovation and regional development, asking how business schools can contribute more actively to sustainable innovation, economic development and the ecosystems around them, with perspectives from China, Brazil and Romania.
Our second conference day turned to management skills for a digital future, with a lively discussion about generative AI, digital technologies, cybersecurity and the knowledge and capabilities graduates will need in a rapidly changing workplace.
The conversation then moved to sustainable development beyond 2030, exploring the responsibility of business and management schools in sustaining progress on complex social and environmental challenges at a time when international cooperation itself is under pressure.
Importantly, these were not conversations confined to academia. Throughout the conference, we brought together deans, professors and researchers with business leaders and practitioners, reflecting our belief that the challenges facing management education cannot be addressed by schools working in isolation.
The World Café, moderated by Prof. Irina Sennikova and Tănase Stamule, gave participants another opportunity to move from listening to active exchange, while our Dean2Dean – CEEMAN Connect meetings created space for individual conversations about cooperation, partnerships and shared challenges.
The conference concluded with Prof. Frank Barrett of Case Western Reserve University and his keynote “Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz.” Combining music with insights into organizational behavior, he explored listening, improvisation, trust and leadership – a fitting conclusion to a conference centered on the ability to connect different people, institutions and ideas.
A collective effort
CEEMAN extends its sincere gratitude to the Bucharest University of Economic Studies and Bucharest Business School for their warm hospitality and close cooperation. Special thanks go to Rector Nicolae Istudor, Vice-Rector Constantin Marius Profiroiu, Dean Vasile Strat, Conference Chair Daniela Staicu, Florentina, Ilinca, the wider local organizing team and the many students whose enthusiasm and support contributed greatly to the atmosphere of the conference.
The conference was also made possible through the generous support of CEEMAN's corporate partners KRKA, RIKO, Perutnina Ptuj, Medical Bravo and Medis. CEEMAN is deeply grateful for their continued trust and commitment to supporting international dialogue and development in management education.
Our appreciation also goes to the sponsors supporting the host institution – Centre for Economy and Society Bucharest, AMI Prod Group, Mobexpert, Autonom and Pearson – and to all speakers, moderators, partners and contributors who helped make the conference possible.
Continuing beyond Bucharest
The value of an Annual Conference does not end with its closing session. The connections established through Dean2Dean, panel discussions, informal conversations and networking provide a starting point for future partnerships, projects, research and institutional cooperation.
CEEMAN looks forward to continuing these conversations throughout the year through its development programs, projects, competitions and other activities across the network.
And the next Annual Conference will be a particularly important milestone: the 35th CEEMAN Annual Conference, taking place 22–24 September 2027 in China.
After Bucharest, we look forward to continuing to build this international community – and to meeting again in China for CEEMAN’s 35th Annual Conference.