We recently had the privilege to interview Dima Jamali, Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Sharjah. Dima has in-depth knowledge and experience of over two decades in higher education, which highlights her being in the present position. With over 100 high-level international publications circulated on a global scale, Dima is an influential thought leader in relation to sustainability and CSR in developing countries, with a focus on the Middle East. Besides that, she has bagged several awards and recognition, like the 2016 National Council for Scientific Research Excellence Award, the 2015 Aspen Institute Faculty Pioneer Award, and Personality of the Year for CSR, to name a few. Let’s learn more about Dima Jamali and her incredible journey through this interview below.
Key Milestones
We wanted to learn more about the aspects that turned out to be key milestones in her journey. We asked, “Could you share a brief overview of your career journey, including key milestones and transitions?”
She shared, “My career in academia began over 20 years ago, primarily at the American University of Beirut (AUB). During my time at AUB, I served as a Tenured Professor and held the position of Associate Dean for the Olayan School of Business (OSB) for an extended period. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in the world of business education and to appreciate the significance of responsible management practices.
One of the key milestones in my academic journey was when I was appointed as the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the University. This role gave me a unique opportunity to collaborate with various organizations and stakeholders to further the university’s mission and impact.
In 2010, I achieved the esteemed status of Full Professor, which marked a significant recognition of my contributions to the field of sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and social entrepreneurship. Subsequently, in 2014, I was honored to be awarded an Endowed Chair in Responsible Leadership at AUB, solidifying my position as a leader in promoting responsible and sustainable business practices.
Another pivotal moment in my career was the founding of the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon in 2015. This platform allowed me to lead and mobilize businesses towards sustainable and responsible practices aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provided a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and the private sector in advancing sustainability in Lebanon.
Becoming a global Board Member of the UN PRME initiative further enhanced my commitment to responsible management education. It offered a global platform to advocate for integrating sustainability and ethics into the business education sphere, empowering future leaders to address complex societal challenges.”
She further shared, “My recent career journey in the academic field has evolved and continues to evolve, mainly as I shifted to the thriving UAE context. Being the Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates was a remarkable experience. Especially in Sharjah, the Arabic, Islamic, and Emirati cultures create an exciting amalgam that shapes the lives of citizens, employees, faculty, and students, as most have been born and raised in Sharjah itself, an amazingly spirited city.
As the Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Sharjah, I managed to put the AACSB Accreditation back on track, and the College was recently re-accredited across all its business programs, keeping its place among the top 5% of business schools worldwide. This was another great milestone and achievement in my career. I will be assuming a new exciting academic leadership role in Dubai at the end of summer 2023, and I hope this will open doors to taking the next step into advancing and growing my career.
She continued, “I take pride in being an entrepreneurial academic always keen on boundary spanning and forging collaborations with local and international organizations around common activities and goals that benefit the institution, the students, and the larger community. I must say that this is something I have learned from my years at the helm of the UN Global Compact Network in Lebanon, where we have mobilized the skills and efforts of the business community, but also academics and students, working together on interesting national social, environmental and humanitarian projects that benefit society and vulnerable groups. With this same mindset, I would like to continue to grow my career, always searching for the intersections of academia and societal impact and using education as a great catalyst and enabler of social justice. One of our greatest privileges in academia is to help prepare our youth to be educated architects and change agents for a better tomorrow.”
Educational Background
We were intrigued to learn about Dima Jamali’s career choice that led her to the present position. So we asked, “How has your education influenced your career choices and success in this industry?”
She replied, “I am grateful for the path that I have taken and for every milestone across the journey. I learned from every experience, every success story, every failure, and every setback, and this accumulated experience has put me where I am today and shaped my unique perspective and positioning.
At the beginning of my education, I studied Public Administration at the American University of Beirut, followed by a Master’s in Sociology in California. Then I moved to pursue a Ph.D. in Social Policy and Administration in the UK. This exposure to different cultures and educational systems during my formative years gave me an excellent grounding and understanding of the British and American Educational Systems. I have been in business schools since then, focusing on the intersection of leadership, sustainability, and societal impact. My solid academic foundation at the American University in Beirut has allowed me to hone my research capabilities and publish widely in impactful international outlets, earning me a reputation as a global academic of the finest caliber.”
She continued, “I have balanced that with building a fantastic network of practitioners and CEOs through my leading role with the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon. I am proud and happy with where I have reached in my career, including every milestone, and I look forward to continuing to push ahead with inspiration and determination. This cumulative journey, with its different milestones, has contributed to my cumulative achievements.
For example, in 2022, I was ranked among the top 100 scientists (ranked 30) in the UAE and 2nd in the UAE in Business and Management. While in 2021 and 2022, I was recognized to be amongst the top 2% of scientists globally in sustainability by Stanford University. Beyond my core academic career and contributions, I have delved into the world of entrepreneurship by co-founding Menassati, a groundbreaking one-stop edutainment platform combining videos, audio, ebooks, and gaming, with an enlightening vision to redefine education and digitize the Arabic human knowledge for a new generation of learners and culture seekers, offering them low-cost public access to a decentralized and democratized entire Arabic digital multimedia library.”
Overcoming Challenges
Obstacles are an inevitable part of every business at present. We asked, “How do you tackle challenges in your field amidst changing market dynamics and technological advancements?”
Dima shared, “Being a thought leader with multiple hats, addressing challenges in the business and academic worlds amidst changing market dynamics and technological advancements requires a holistic, agile, and dynamic approach to ensure relevance, effectiveness, and market competitiveness. I would say that encouraging a culture of innovation and being open to embracing new tools and technologies especially artificial intelligence (AI) is a key factor in harnessing data-driven insights, making informed decisions, and driving sustainable innovation that shapes a brighter future for all.
From the human interactions spectrum, I certainly believe that engaging with multidisciplinary stakeholders and innovators from the business arena, academia, UN system, and the youth enables us to co-create legitimate and creative solutions that align with the rapidly changing landscape. Also, as an academic leader, I have a deep appreciation for the role of continuous learning and research to develop insights and market knowledge that can yield a positive impact on our decision-making strategies.
Another essential approach to navigating complexities is indeed embracing a flexible and agile mindset powered by forging meaningful partnerships and collaborations to consolidate expertise, resources, insights, and best practices for a greater impact. Additionally, to be able to thrive and flourish in this fast-paced competitive landscape, it is imperative not to overlook the invaluable role of the youth and the fresh perspectives they bring to the table. By empowering and involving the youth in shaping strategies, driving decision-making, and co-creating solutions, we ensure that our endeavors remain relevant, inclusive, and future-proof.”
She continued, “I keep myself up to date on the changing world through my readings and the surrounding community. Readings include reliable, stimulating content, including Harvard Business Reviews, Forbes, UN Publications, and NY Times. In addition, I believe in the power of collaboration and exchanging ideas to address those challenges collectively. I am grateful to my colleagues whom I trust and the energetic students who are also inspiring. With our continuous exchange of knowledge, I learned more about the world’s changes and the best strategies to continue to advance and grow.”
Embracing New Trends
Adapting to the latest technology and ongoing trends is paramount to ensure sustainable business success. We asked Dima Jamali, “How do you ensure your company remains adaptable to emerging trends and technologies?”
She shared, “It is essential to stay at the forefront of industry developments and leverage emerging technologies to establish an engaging approach to cater to the changing world of academia. Since we maintain periodic meetings at different levels in our University, and we maintain contact with all kinds of outside vendors and institutions nationally and internationally, this helps ensure effective knowledge exchange about technological advancements.
Academic institutions are, by design, learning institutions, and it is essential to stay adaptable and well-immersed through effective collaboration, partnerships, and boundary-spanning. I believe in continuous learning and improvement, which is crucial and all the more important in embracing the dynamic space of technological advancements and innovations. Finally, I believe that business and academic institutions have no choice but to continue to adapt to emerging trends and technologies to remain agile and competitive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.”
Visions For Company And Self
To learn more about Dima’s business plans and position in the industry, we asked, “What are your plans or goals for your career and company?”
She replied, “I enjoy being in a leadership position, and certainly, I see myself continuing in academic leadership roles, serving as a catalyst of change, and fostering important and impactful collaborations in academia and business. My personal goals stretch well beyond academia and entail leaving a lasting legacy in the community and the world at large. My dream is to found one day a Global NGO focusing on quality inclusive education, where we utilize education as a tool to fulfill and grow human potential, as a platform to address the world’s greatest challenges, and also as a catalyzer and enabler of doing more good and paving the way for a more just and equitable world, driven by the UN famous pledge of leaving no one behind.
Life Lessons
Being in a prominent position like Dima Jamali is never a cakewalk. So we asked, “What valuable lessons have you learned throughout your career?”
She shared, “Throughout my career journey, I have learned the importance of being resilient in challenging situations, embracing change with unexpected events, and being true to my passion and values every step of the way. I have also learned the importance of being committed to a larger goal or purpose beyond focusing on our day-to-day routine engagements and activities.
With these principles, I wake up every morning with a fresh mind, excitement, and determination to do well and do good while also enjoying the journey. In addition, I have learned the most important lesson is to have the skill of adaptability. Sometimes life could take you in unexpected directions, and the sooner you embrace and adapt, the greater the win for you and your surroundings. My motto is to live each day at a time and try to make the best out of every situation, irrespective of how surprising, unconformable, or unexpected it can be. I have also learned that by doing good you generate the good and that by creating a positive impact you can create a long-lasting legacy irrespective of where you find yourself.”
Stand-Out Factors
To achieve a strong position amidst the tough competition in the industry, one needs to focus on building unique skills and services. We asked, “How do you differentiate your services from competitors in the current market?”
Dima replied, “I follow a non-traditional approach to ensure students get exposed to the real world of practice and bridge the knowledge from academia to real-life challenges. We must come to terms with the fact that the core of how we impart knowledge in the academic world is changing, and we must embrace and adapt accordingly. Today’s Learners have a wealth of information on their fingerprints, so they have different expectations when they join a university. We must rethink and reinvent our curricula and review our delivery modalities to keep those learners engaged.
We also need to ensure that the knowledge we share is much more practical and relevant to the real business world. This is the only way to capture the interest and stimulate the innovative minds of today’s youth. Classical academia is becoming increasingly obsolete, and the faster we realize this and adapt, the greater the gain.
By creating partnerships and apprenticeship programs with leading corporations, we provide students with invaluable internship opportunities that offer practical, relevant experience. These hands-on experiences offer practical and relevant exposure to real-world challenges and industry best practices, giving our learners a competitive edge in their future careers. By actively engaging with the business world through such programs, students can develop essential employability skills and enhance their job preparedness. This approach not only equips them with technical knowledge but also nurtures their ability to adapt, collaborate, and innovate in dynamic work environments. As we bridge the gap between academia and industry, we empower our students to become future leaders who are well-equipped to make meaningful contributions to society and drive positive change in the business landscape.”
She continued, “Moreover, my focus on sustainability throughout my career has always given me an edge by connecting me and my students to the social side and social context and inspiring students to think of leaving a positive futuristic footprint in the world. Learners today are interested in new relevant topics, including Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, FinTech, Sustainability, ESG, and Risk Management, and the best way to differentiate is to focus more on these increasingly relevant and futuristic topics throughout the curriculum and through creating impactful collaborations. In essence, you differentiate yourself by knowing where and how you should be different, the difference you want to make, and committing to this throughout your journey to make a positive change.”
Matching With Changing Consumer Behaviour
“How has your company effectively navigated and capitalized on emerging global market trends or shifts in consumer behavior?”
She replied, “The University of Sharjah has effectively navigated emerging global trends by being proactive and innovative. By focusing on cutting-edge research, the University has positioned itself among the leading Universities in the global landscape. Accreditation is another significant global trend. We recently published an interesting paper (attached) examining the determinants of research productivity and efficiency among the Arab World’s Accredited Business Schools. The findings offer valuable insights for the region’s business schools to benchmark their research performance and gain a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to increased research productivity and impact.
As Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Sharjah, I have led the AACSB re-accreditation, providing a seal of excellence and placing the College among the top 5% of the world business schools. This has been an outstanding achievement, which would only have happened with the collective efforts of the faculty, staff, students, and the more comprehensive administration. I am truly thankful and proud of this success. I have also led various initiatives bridging the gap between academia and industry, and was able to provide our students with various opportunities to expand not only their knowledge but also applied skills, which is important in this increasingly dynamic and competitive environment.”
Advice For Beginners
Beginners in a similar field will find it inspiring to hear from an expert like Dima Jamali. So we asked, “What are the most important qualities or skills you believe beginners should cultivate to thrive in this industry?”
She replied, “The top 3 skills are self-awareness, resilience, and adaptability. Self-awareness to find your strengths and passion, resilience to face difficulties with a positive mindset, and adaptability to unexpected events. These three skills, combined with a strong character, are essential for continued personal growth and evolution. Moreover, continuous learning and staying up-to-date are crucial to keeping the person in tune with evolving trends.
Lastly, building solid collegial relationships with family members and peers gives personal fulfillment. It is crucially important to be surrounded with like-minded and caring people who understand and support your vision, journey, and destination.”
Find Dima Jamali on LinkedIn.
Find the University of Sharjah on LinkedIn or visit http://www.sharjah.ac.ae.
