The Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) of American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB) has jointly organized a webinar entitled “Online Business Leadership” with its partner FPT School of Business & Technology, Vietnam on October 8, 2020. The event was primarily intended to start up the new partnership of the two institutions based on the recently signed MOU. The event was a platform to build awareness among the business faculty of the two institutions on how the present pandemic situation has affected the business leadership in the respective countries. The event was participated in by the faculty, students and other professionals of both institutions. Prof. Dr. Charles C. Villanueva, VP Academics, Dean, FBA delivered the welcome message. In his welcome message, Dr. Charles  emphasized  the importance of the partnership of the two institutions in terms of sharing expertise and  experiences  in the field  of business both theory and practice. Likewise, share valuable information that would boost the significance of the changing patterns of business throughout the world.

Ms. Farheen Hasan, Director, BBA Program of FBA, AIUB, introduced the guests and in- house speakers by briefly citing their respective valuable credentials. During the session, eight resource speakers took turns to present their respective insights and shared different perspectives on online business leadership.

Dr. Cam, Ngo Van, faculty member, FSB Institute of Technology Management – FPT University, Vietnam was the first speaker who pointed out the need of industry for  academic collaboration, using cases and understanding emotional intelligence in shaping business leadership. Mr. Nguyen, Ha, Associate Dean, FPT School of Business & Technology   emphasized on understanding the transformation wave that required academic institutions to use online platform (e.g. Coursera), honoring ideas, and reaching large number of population. He also shared the strategy development process which FPT University adopted to face the ever-changing business environment. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Research fellow at the Institution of Political Economics, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Vietnam raised two very interesting and significant concerns: need for requirement analysis in the digital age, and the true stand of employee – employer relation in the contemporary global context.

From FBA, AIUB side, Mr. Soumendra Sanker Das, Associate Professor, suggested to think ahead and be ready for the unseen challenges that beset the business sector. He cited the changing consumer centric leadership practices and the flattening organizational hierarchy in the current context.  Professor Md. Maksudur Rahman Sarker, FCMA, suggested that any innovation should be made sustainable being the driving force for effective leadership. He presented a number of academic and business cases justifying his arguments. Mr. Romee Tareque  Moudud, FCMA, Director OPA,  cited a number of success stories to sketch effective leadership model. He also emphasized on the importance of the role of women in designing leadership style. Dr. Khondaker Sazzadul Karim, Department Head of Marketing, FBA, presented different research findings as guide in developing new forms and styles of leadership in general.

After the comprehensive and substantive inputs by the speakers on the topic of the webinar,  a question - answer session followed that catalyzed both the speakers and the participants in raising questions and providing responses to the issues that confront both the educational institutions and the country of location. The program ended with an expression of the vote of thanks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna and the management of the American International University-Bangladesh for making this event successful. This was mutually responded also by Ms. Phuong Nguyen, Academic Director, FPT University who coordinated the event on behalf of the FPT School of Business and Technology, Vietnam.  Dr. Zakaria Masud, Associate Professor, FBA, moderated the proceedings of the Webinar.