Prof. A. Jaafari, President of Asia Pacific International College, Australia will deliver a special lecture on the topic “The Making of Professional Managers and Leaders: How to suceed on the Face of a Fast Changing World” . The lecture will be delivered on Tuesday, 27 October 2009 between 11.00-12.30 hrs at room number E-220.Prof. Jaafari spent a period of time at AIT with Structural Engineering and Construction Program in 1988.
Abstract :
Professional people face different career paths to those of the past, when relative certainty and continuity were the norm. The socio-economic and political environments have changed to complex or even chaotic state and continue to challenge even the most hardened managers. Projects and programs have risen in complexity too, due to complex environments, changing goals and conflicting interests. Knowledge increases at a rapid rate and affects all fields of activity. In this environment a normative model of thinking and practice, based on best practice models, can no longer be the foundation of professionality in most fields of endeavor.
In this presentation the author will attempt to respond to the following key questions and to raise the level of debate on professional development and practice as well as the role of educational institutions:
• What characterizes the contemporary environment within which business, projects and endeavors take shape?
• What are the business and social drivers and how do these affect organizations in both public and private sectors?
• What are the implications for professional people?
• Why is it necessary to promote and apply a new model of professionalism along the concept of transformative leadership?
• Who are creative-reflective professionals, and what characterizes them?
• How relevant are these concepts to professionals, classed as techno-management professionals?
The thesis advanced by the author is that most graduates taught under a normative model cannot cope with a fast changing world nor perform professionally well despite all that training that goes to their preparation. They need additional and systemic preparation to develop different competencies and cognitive abilities that will aid them survive or even thrive in an environment of change and uncertainty. This thesis gave rise to the establishment of Asia Pacific International College (APIC) as a unique institution that aims to help both fresh university graduates as well as mature age professionals to acquire new resilience and abilities to rise above the complex challenges facing them. A major pillar of such development is leadership and transformative capabilities.
About Prof. Jaafari : Professor Jaafari is a distinguished educator and consultant, recognized internationally, particularly in management of large complex projects and programs. He has delivered courses and training workshops for more than 3500 professionals and executives globally, including many multi-national corporations, EPC firms, major public and private sector organizations, and government agencies. Professor Jaafari has published widely in major international journals and conferences, books and monographs. He currently heads Asia Pacific International College. He held the Chair of Project Management at the University of Sydney until August 2004.
