Our MBA Guest Lecture on Sustainable Business, held on Friday 25 November, was a great success with 46 current and former students attending both online and in person.
The 90-minute event, held in Kent Business School’s MBA Suite was organised by MBA Students James Havey and Manish Shah, chaired by MBA Course Leader Debbie Kemp and included a presentation from Dr Balasubramanyam Chandramohan PhD, FHEA, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London.
Bala presented alongside Nick Phillips, an MBA student and Sustainability Ambassador for KBS, who has a background in energy saving technology.
Nick said: ‘Dr Balasubramanyam (Bala) Chandramohan and I are members of Canterbury Climate Action Partnership (CCAP) which is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organisation that promotes grass roots action and collaboration.
‘It was a privilege to be MBA guest lecturers and share our recent experience of carrying official UNFCCC observer status at COP27. Our ‘Diary of COP27’ was structured around each thematic day of our attendance, such as Energy Day, Biodiversity Day and Solutions Day. Our presentation also considered the breakthrough agreement from COP27 on ‘Loss and damage’ funding for vulnerable countries and its signifying effect for climate justice.’
Grace Smith, Environment Specialist Consultant also took to the podium, sharing some of her insights into the world of ESG, green finance and climate change solutions followed by a Q&A session.
Attendees on the day remarked on the insightful nature of the content of the speeches. Fellow MBA student Sarah Alobaid said: “The importance of introducing seminars and workshops on sustainability will inspire us and increase our awareness. As humans, we have been born for a good reason, and that reason is to save the earth”
Steph Cooper, who attended the event, said: “Having not attended an MBA guest lecture before I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was overwhelmed by the knowledge and expertise of presenters and their calm and informative approach. Despite some sound issues they continued without hesitation.
“I was intrigued to hear about COP27 and key messages that were shared however what I found even more interesting were the reflections that Nick made on the work that individual countries have done/are doing, highlighting that sustainability is not a one size fits all for everyone across the world.
“I am so fortunate to be studying for my MBA at Kent Business School and having such a broad range of knowledge and skills within the classroom but also access to the wider students and alumni to support my learning and development.”
The next MBA Guest Lecture covering equality in the workplace will be held on Friday 10 March, 12.30pm to 2pm (UK time).