Research and teaching initiative launched to address social innovation and sustainability in the region
INSEAD, the leading international business school, today announced a new partnership with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court to establish the Crown Prince’s Diwan Endowed Chair in Social Innovation and Sustainability at INSEAD’s Centre for Executive Education and Research in Abu Dhabi. The new initiative brings together outstanding faculty in the region to advance the learning and teaching of social innovation and sustainability. This combined effort will promote new business models and market-based mechanisms that deliver sustainable economic, environmental and social prosperity.
Recognised in perpetuity, the Crown Prince’s Diwan Chair will be awarded to visiting and resident INSEAD faculty at INSEAD’s Abu Dhabi Centre. Faculty will typically hold the Chair for terms of three months up to two years. Topics include the theme of corporate citizenship which spans economics, philosophy and sociology. INSEAD’s research will involve issues related to preservation of culture and local identity while embarking on the path of development and globalization; the expansion of ‘positive effects’ that reach a good percent of the world’s population, as opposed to insular achievements that only benefit a few; and the concept of a ‘just’ corporate culture and its role in promoting social justice and welfare.
According to HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ‘With the UAE’s growing importance as a regional business hub and in line with Abu Dhabi’s vision of extending its global footprint in the area of higher education, we welcome this new initiative with INSEAD. It promises to change how we view social innovation and sustainability to key elements in sustainable competitive advantage of global businesses.’
J. Frank Brown, Dean of INSEAD, added: ‘Globally, INSEAD has been at the forefront of research on social innovation and sustainability and today’s partnership is further testimony of our ongoing commitment to building a more responsible global business climate. Thanks to the continuing support and long-term vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, this donation marks the first Chair in Social Innovation and Sustainability for the school and guarantees resources to attract and retain outstanding faculty at the INSEAD Abu Dhabi Centre.’
