Kofi Annan Business School Foundation Annual Report 2008
Foreword It is an excellent idea: the Kofi Annan Business School. To build on existing capacity to strengthen capacity in countries that need it most. To offer the most talented young people from those countries the opportunity to realize their full potential and help them acquire the knowledge, attitudes and networks needed to make a meaningful contribution to the development of large and small businesses in their home countries. This would represent a practical and timely contribution to the capacity of developing countries to build their own future. It was with great pleasure, then, that I accepted the invitation of the initiators to chair the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation at the beginning of 2009. The year 2008 was the last year of a very productive pilot phase. This annual report shows some of the results. The voices of the fellows of this initial phase can be heard clearly, thanks to the many quotes that have been included. These Kofi Annan Fellows are, indeed, crucial to the success of the KABS. Their role in developing their countries will be the tangible outcome of the endeavours of the initiators of this project and of the staff of an increasing number of business schools in both the South and the North which have been involved in the development of the KABS. This Annual Report is a vivid illustration of the results attained thus far. Prof. dr. Hans van Ginkel Chairman of the Board Kofi Annan Business School Foundation Testimonials of Kofi Annan Fellows As of 2007, the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation has provided fellowships to some of the most promising students and young professionals from developing areas, which allowed them to enrol for the tailor-made Bachelor s programme at HU, or the more practice-oriented Master s programme at Vlerick. In June 2008, five talented Kofi Annan Fellows from Zambia, Kenya, Indonesia, India and Peru obtained their Master s degree at Vlerick. I believe the Kofi Annan Foundation can really make a difference in the world. There s a lot of talent in developing countries, but not that many opportunities for everyone. Firman Ismail from Indonesia, Kofi Annan Fellow at Vlerick (2007-2008) When I have finished my MBA at Vlerick, I want to return with a better understanding of the market, the opportunities and a real international network. Then I can really make things happen. Gianfranco Balestra from Peru, Kofi Annan Fellow at Vlerick (2007-2008) This really is a great initiative, because it enables me to learn so much more. I would love to have my own business. I m thinking of doing something in the food industry or in property. That s where the opportunities lie in my country. Bernadette Mandawa Chikumbi from Zambia, Kofi Annan Fellow at Vlerick (2007-2008)
The Kofi Annan Business School Foundation is a joint initiative by Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School (Vlerick) in Belgium, Hogeschool Utrecht (HU) University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and Public Advice International (PA International) in The Hague, the Netherlands. About the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation In late 2006, these partners presented their plan to former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr Kofi Annan, who agreed to lend his name to this unique business school project. The Kofi Annan Business School Foundation was established in 2007. The goal of the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation is to provide the opportunity for talented and motivated students from developing areas, who do not belong to a privileged class and lack sufficient financial means, to study at and obtain a diploma from one of the affiliated business schools with some of the best connections in Europe. The Foundation thus aims to foster the international exchange of knowledge and capacity building. Upon returning to their home countries, this new generation of young, innovative and socially responsible entrepreneurs can contribute to the strengthening of entrepreneurial capacity and business administration in developing areas as an effective catalyst for economic development, creating jobs and alleviating poverty. It takes time to grow the small and large businesses that can create the jobs and income needed. So we must start now. Nothing less will help to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Kofi Annan Former Secretary-General of the United Nations The education of these Kofi Annan Fellows is funded by the participating business schools, PA International and donations from business partners and the public sector. The fellowship is a great way for students to learn from one another and also to further the Millennium Development Goals. I believe that business, through its products as well as its processes, adds value to society. Chavvi Malik from India, Kofi Annan Fellow at Vlerick (2007-2008) It has always been my ambition to do an MBA. But without the Foundation, I don t know how I would have done it. This programme at Vlerick has exactly what I was looking for. Michael Musili Nzau from Kenya, Kofi Annan Fellow at Vlerick (2007-2008) Mr. Nzau was one of five students who received a full scholarship to Vlerick as a Kofi Annan Fellow in 2007. I didn t want to get an MBA so I could join McKinsey, says Mr. Nzau [ ], who began working for the UN shortly after getting his MBA [ ] last summer. After graduating in 2008, he found himself in Liberia, where he helps organizations deal with sexual exploitation and provides training and prevention resources. While the MBA experience didn t introduce him to a new line of work, Mr. Nzau says it gave him experience working in a multinational environment, skills he often utilizes when gathered around a table with his colleagues. Mr. Nzau is [ ] involved in relief efforts in Kenya too. This January he plans to launch a youth enterprise centre in Nairobi to help young people interested in starting their own businesses get the proper training. The youth out there in the communities want to do business but they do not have the connections to do what they want, he says. Doing Good After An MBA, Wall Street Journal, 16-09-09
The Kofi Annan Business School Foundation aims to contribute to achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. In the framework of Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development, the Foundation seeks to make a contribution beyond the education sector. It intends to strengthen the relationship between (entrepreneurial) individuals, institutions and companies in Europe and in the South for the benefit of society across the world. The students receive an excellent entrepreneurial education and the chance to build up an international network. In addition, the students gain practical experience that will help them to initiate projects in their country of origin. Drs. Geri Bonhof President of the Board at HU There are many talented young people from modest backgrounds in depressed areas. With our help they can make a difference in emerging markets. The Kofi Annan Business School will provide them with the managerial tools and access to fight unemployment and poverty in their hometown. Mr. Rio Praaning Prawira Adiningrat Secretary General at PA International These motivated young professionals will be able to do a lot for their country at some point in the future. Prof. dr. Philippe Haspeslagh Dean at Vlerick In July 2008, four promising Kofi Annan Fellows from Zambia, Kenya, Indonesia and Peru finished their first year of the three-year Bachelor s programme at HU and all passed to their second year with excellent results. The programme has given me an opportunity to meet people from many different cultures who have proved to be very nice, friendly and helpful. Also, the programme is structured in such a way that the emphasis is on areas such as the one where I come from. Mumba Tamele from Zambia, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2007-2010) young successful entrepreneur which will make people see that it is something worth trying for, since currently in Kenya there are no role models for Kenya s young people. Entrepreneurship is seen as something for the old and usually for retired people who have a lot of experience and financial security. Winnie Sagwe from Kenya, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2007-2010) For my country, I would like to help people who are unemployed. With the skills I will acquire here, I will be able to set up my own successful enterprise which will provide employment for many. I will also be able to give advice on wise investment choices. I can help by serving as a role model of a The very challenging programme offers me the opportunity to get the knowledge and skills needed to manage a business while taking into account the economic, political and other aspects of doing business in developing countries. I really enjoy learning about the different customs and ways of thinking of all
Network of the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation Over the past year, significant progress has been made to establish new partnerships with business schools and universities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In 2008, HU engaged in new partnerships with five universities in the South: the Copperbelt University in Zambia, Moi University in Kenya, the University of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, Universitas Trisakti in Indonesia and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua in Nicaragua. The associated business schools, in close cooperation with the business sector, aim to create a platform of knowledge that will actively stimulate the exchange of knowledge and best practice in the area of small and medium-sized enterprises, and produce innovative business solutions that can contribute to economic growth and the alleviation of poverty in developing areas. Partners for Development Since the start of the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation in 2007, considerable numbers of companies and organizations have contributed to the Foundation, both financially or in kind. Within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals, the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation would like to thank the following partners for development for the year 2008: NCDO, Koning Boudewijn Stichting, Suez University, Noaber Foundation, Dienst Stadsontwikkeling Gemeente Utrecht, Stichting Utrechtse Wonincorporatie (STUW), Deloitte. my classmates. You really get involved in the actual situation of these countries and how they came to be this way, and you study the possible ways in which they could change their situation. After completing the programme, I would like to return to my country or some other developing area, in order to apply what I have learned. Melissa Sanchez from Peru, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2007-2010) I would like to make a difference in my country but I think it is impossible to do this alone. Maybe the creation of business that can employ lots of people or a new way of doing things could help my country in the future. Herin Devianti from Indonesia, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2007-2010) Two new students from Vietnam and Uganda were awarded Kofi Annan Fellowships to study at Vlerick in the academic year 2008-2009, while HU welcomed six new first-year fellows, from Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Indonesia, India and Nicaragua. Most highly educated people prefer to work in international business in Vietnam or elsewhere. The government s salary policy and working conditions do not attract highly qualified people to work in the public sector. After Vlerick, I hope to become a product manager in a bank card department, as there is a growing credit and debit card industry in Vietnam. Vy Pham Mai Nguyen from Vietnam, Kofi Annan Fellow at Vlerick (2008-2009)
Future Scenario (2009-2010) In order to maximize the overall benefit of its activities to societies around the world, the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation intends to strengthen the relationship between (entrepreneurial) individuals, institutions and companies in Europe and in the South, focusing on the core skills of the various partners and their contribution to corporate social responsibility. The global partnership should be built up along three main lines: Individual: through offering tailor-made and practice-oriented study programmes to the individual Kofi Annan Fellows and through direct contacts with local entrepreneurs in the South. Institutional: through cooperation between Business Schools in Europe and the South, and cooperation with other (inter-)national institutions. Private sector: through cooperation between companies in Europe and the South, both local small and medium-sized enterprises and transnational corporations. The objective of the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation for the coming years is to expand the number of Business Schools associated with the Foundation, both in Europe as well as in the South, and to find even more companies and national and international institutions which are willing to become a business partner and sponsor to the Foundation on the ground of corporate social responsibility. This would allow the Foundation to provide more opportunities for more talented students with limited resources from developing areas to obtain their Bachelor s or Master s degrees at some of the best business schools in Europe and contribute to our objective, inspired by the Millennium Development Goals: creating a global partnership for development. My Master s in Financial Management will make me one of the most highly qualified financial specialists in Uganda. I could fit into any of the local or international banks in Uganda, but actually I m planning to return to the Central Bank to try and contribute to formulating a framework that would accelerate the growth of the whole financial sector. Ronnie Alinda from Uganda, Kofi Annan Fellow at Vlerick (2008-2009) This programme provides high-quality education that encourages entrepreneurship as an alternative to aid. I really appreciate what I have learnt over the course of the year. The Kofi Annan Business Schools Foundation is giving young people such a great opportunity, people who might otherwise not have reached their full potential. Saviour Nyangu from Zambia, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2008-2010) I like the structure of the programme, the way it is tailor made for developing countries. I have gained a new perspective on emerging markets. Fauzija Sayyed from India, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2008-2011) I like the programme at HU very much, as it provides clear opportunities for my future. After I finish, I want to open a financial consultancy firm in Tanzania. I believe there is still a lot to be done in this area in Tanzania, especially in formulating business plans. Haika Malleko from Tanzania, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2008-2010)
Organizational structure Kofi Annan Business School Foundation Hogeschool Utrecht Bachelor s in Business Administration Vlerick Master or MBA Board Prof. dr. Hans van Ginkel Chairman PA International International sponsoring, CSR Mr. Rio Praaning Prawira Adiningrat (Secretary General PA) Prof. dr. Philippe Haspeslagh (Dean Vlerick) Drs. Geri Bonhof (President Board HU) Honorary Patrons Baron Paul De Keersmaeker Viscount Etienne Davignon Dr. Bernard Bot The study programme at HU is very practical and uses many real-life situations. We are learning things which are really helpful to us. I have enjoyed this experience a lot and I am convinced that it will give me the right skills to become a great entrepreneur in my country one day. Carolyne Kiplagat from Kenya, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2008-2010) My experience at HU was great. I met many other people from different countries and cultures and the programme was good and enjoyable, especially for people who really have plans to become entrepreneurial businessmen or women. This programme is one of the best choices they can make to realize that dream. Aji Nugroho from Indonesia, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2008-2009) This programme has certainly broadened my way of thinking on how to do business in any part of the world. It is very interesting how we as students from different backgrounds all come up with different solutions for a specific problem. There is talent in developing countries but not enough opportunities for everyone. I feel privileged to be a Kofi Annan Fellow and I hope that someday I can make a difference for my home country. Ana Baldizon from Nicaragua, Kofi Annan Fellow at HU (2008-2010)
Kofi Annan Business School Foundation Contact Information Kortenaerkade 12 2518 AX The Hague The Netherlands T 0031 (0) 70 426 04 65 E info@kofiannanbusinessschool.org www.kofiannanbusinessschool.org Kofi Annan Business School Foundation, The Hague. Design: Ontwerpwerk, The Hague