Yale University and Strathmore Business School (SBS) held a leadership forum at the latter’s campus last week. The event also marked the announcement of the induction of Strathmore Business School into the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM). The partnership will see the two institutions undertake a student exchange program that will begin in 2018.
Yale University President, Peter Salovey, made the 3-day trip to Kenya as a fulfillment of the Yale Africa Initiative promise that he announced at his inaugural speech in 2013. During his ~4-year tenure, the number of students from Africa attending Yale University has doubled. Furthermore, out of the 10 deans he has appointed, 7 of them are women, indicating his commitment to supporting women leaders.
“[…] Yale is interested in a genuine relationship where we can learn from each other,” President Salovey said.
The Yale President also announced the opportunity for high school students to benefit from Yale’s program, where students to join U.S universities and offered scholarships. The Director for Africa, Yale University Eddie Mandhry hinted at a possible collaboration with Equity Foundation’s Wings to Fly.
The Permanent Secretary of Education, Zainab Hussein, was also at the event and she noted the importance of the Yale-SBS partnership which will help drive the big 4 agenda. Additionally, she suggested that TIBET should also follow Strathmore’s example in developing global partnerships.
Panel Discussion on Leadership
An inspiring and enlightening discussion also took place with regards to leadership. One of the panelists was Central Bank of Kenya governor, Dr Patrick Njoroge, a Yale University alumnus.
The main points that made an impact were:
“Impact leadership is defined as leaving an organisation better and stronger than it was before. I believe in leading from the front and behind,” President Salovey, Yale University.
“Going beyond what is achievable, having control of oneself, and making a team effective is what defines impact leadership,” Dr Patrick Njoroge, CBK governor.
“Legitimacy is the epitome of impact leadership. Leaders should transform the culture of selfish leadership. I often wonder why we praise the selfish leader. […] Leaders should not only focus on a vision but also embrace humility for the sake of helping the less privileged,” Dr Njenga, Dean SBS.
“Governments should keep multinational companies accountable when they enter emerging markets. Furthermore, multinational companies should know that they can only succeed when they adapt to the local environment,” Kaakpema Yelpaala, Access Mobile CEO.
Education for Leadership
PS Zainab said educational institutions should focus on integrating leadership into curriculum, mainly because it plays a part in driving the economy.
What’s more, the CBK governor said anyone can become a leader. “We are all called to be leaders in the different areas of our lives,” he added.
Unlike common belief that leaders are born, President Salovey believes education is a tool that can be used to teach leadership skills. “However, patience and accepting criticism are some of the values that can only be learned through experience,” he said.
RELATED; Yale president Peter Salovey speaks on emotional intelligence and Leadership in business
