A report on a series of online meetings organized by UT Faculty of Entrepreneurship (2023-2024)
Transferring the Development Experience of Technological Products from USA to Developing Countries
Date: 6 November 2023
Speaker: Toni Sikes, Co-Founder and CEO at CODAworx
Other Positions: Board Member, Healthy Minds Innovation
We are pleased to announce that we had a successful meeting with Wisconsin School of Business in the US, organized by the entrepreneurship faculty at the University of Tehran. The meeting took place on Monday, November 6, 2023, with more than 25 participants, including Toni Sikes, Abolghasem Arabiun, and Dr. MohammadReza Meigounpoory.
The meeting was about entrepreneurship in the art industry and how both universities can collaborate and innovate in entrepreneurial opportunities. Toni Sikes presented her business about entrepreneurship in the art industry and also shared her valuable experiences with students.
We also discussed the cooperation possibilities between the universities regarding research and mutual entrepreneurial projects. We shared our thoughts and proposals on how to create synergies and partnerships that can benefit both sides. We mainly focused on the capabilities of the entrepreneurship faculty of the University of Tehran to encourage young entrepreneurs in this faculty and the future of mutual collaboration.
The meeting was very fruitful and enlightening, and we would like to thank Toni Sikes for her inspiring presentation and her readiness to share her knowledge and insights with us. We hope this meeting will pave the way for future collaborations between Tehran University and Wisconsin University to have more chances to communicate and learn from each other.
We also appreciate Maryam Reshadi, Afshin Moghadasi, Mahdi Azad, Fatemeh Taheri, Hooman Namakizadeh Esfahani, and other bright students for their contribution to this meeting.
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Technology-Driven Innovation, How to Lead and Succeed in the 21st Century
Date: 11 November 2023
Speaker: William Halal, Professor of Management Strategy and Innovation at George Washington University
Other Positions: Author, Consultant, and Entrepreneur. Member of the world’s 100 most influential futurists.
We had the pleasure of meeting Dr. William Halal, a professor at The George Washington University and a renowned futurist, in a virtual session organized by the Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran. We discussed his latest book “Beyond Knowledge, How Technology is driving an Age of Consciousness” and how it relates to the emerging topic of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) in the business world. Dr. Halal stressed the importance of ESG as a key factor for the success and sustainability of any organization, especially in democratic companies. He suggested that companies should adopt strategies to communicate better with their stakeholders, such as suppliers, customers, and governments. One of the most fascinating topics we talked about was the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of work and innovation. Dr. Halal has been tracking the development of AI for decades, and his company, TechCast Global, has been very accurate in predicting the timing and impact of AI on various sectors and domains. He emphasized that AI will change how we work in the future and improve our processes, but it will not replace the human position because it lacks agency. Finally, Dr. Halal gave us a glimpse of his vision for the future of humanity, which includes the possibility of exploring deep space and experiencing space travel. We would like to thank Dr. Halal for his time and wisdom, the Faculty of Entrepreneurship of the University of Tehran, and our bright students and Dr. Abolghasem Arabiun for holding this meeting.
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Entrepreneurial Management Today
Date: 5 December 2023
Speaker: Felix Arndt, Professor and John F. Wood Chair in Entrepreneurship at the Gordon S Lang School of Business and Economics
Other Positions: Program Executive, Departmental Leadership, and International Partnerships in the UK and China.
We are thrilled to have engaged in a dynamic meeting with Felix Arndt, professor at the Gordon S Lang School of Business and Economics. As our discussion unfolded, Dr. Felix shared insights into his journey and expertise in entrepreneurship and strategy. In our meeting, the conversation gravitated toward the XPP model and Balanced Scorecard (BSC), two pivotal models in strategy. Dr. Arndt shed light on their historical significance but emphasized that more updated models are used in Canada nowadays. Addressing the complexity of entrepreneurship, the richness of insights extended as students actively sought Dr. Felix's perspectives on collaboration possibilities. Exciting times are ahead as we navigate the intricate world of digital transformation and strategy, fueled by the wisdom shared in our engaging session. We would like to thank all the professors and students from the University of Tehran who helped with executing this session.
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All-In On AI: How Smart Companies Win Big with Artificial Intelligence
Date: 13 December 2023
Speaker: Tom Davenport, President’s Distinguished Professor of Information Technology and Management at Babson College
Other Positions: Co-Founder of the International Institute for Analytics. One of the 100 most influential people in the IT industry.
We were honored to engage with Tom Davenport, the distinguished professor of information technology and management at Babson College, in a transformative meeting about "All-in on AI: How smart companies win big with artificial intelligence."
Dr. Davenport's presentation revealed the profound impact of AI on businesses of all scales. Backed by real studies from the USA, he navigated through the evolution of AI's influence, emphasizing its transformative power. The insightful discussion delved into the nuances between AI and generative AI, illuminating strategic approaches for leveraging data in marketing and internal processes.
Fascinating statistics were shared, underlining the widespread adoption of AI by both industry giants and startups. A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Davenport, Dr. Arabiun from the University of Tehran, and all participants for contributing to this enlightening session.
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Defining the Roles of Soft Skills in the Global Market
Date: 27 December 2023
Speaker: Faye Sotiriou, Professional Coach Teaching in the Capodistrian University of Athens
Other Positions: Educational Consultant, and Career Development Coach
We had an insightful meeting with Faye Sotiriou from Athens University, underscoring the critical importance of soft skills in today's dynamic job landscape. Dr. Arabiun highlighted how effective communication and adaptability are key to success, complementing technical expertise.
Sophia emphasized the necessity of soft skills like empathy, resilience, and critical thinking for 2023's evolving work environment. She stressed that in entrepreneurship, technical skills fall short without effective communication. Our jobs are in constant flux, demanding adaptability, even within the same profession.
Sophia's advice to students was powerful—look within, dig deep into capabilities and interests for authentic self-discovery. We are grateful for her insights and the contributions of all participants from the University of Tehran. Together, we're shaping a workforce prepared for success in a rapidly changing world.
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Entrepreneurial Mindset
Date: 17 January 2024
Speaker: Joseph Pistrui, Professor of Entrepreneurial Management at IE
Other Positions: Co-Founder of Kinetic Thinking
The University of Tehran was honored to welcome esteemed guest Joseph Pistrui, a prominent figure in entrepreneurial management and co-founder of Kinetic Thinking, from IE Business School in Madrid. The meeting provided valuable insights into the dynamics of entrepreneurial education. Pistrui introduced a groundbreaking model termed the "Recursive and Discursive Model of and for Entrepreneurial Action," highlighting the connections between perception, action, and consequences.
One of the pivotal discussions centered on the disparity between design science and natural science. Pistrui emphasized the significance of design science, which is uniquely geared towards serving human purposes and addressing real-world challenges. The meeting served as a platform for bringing together scholars, educators, and practitioners to explore the transformative potential of entrepreneurial mindset.
The University of Tehran extends its gratitude to Joseph Pistrui for sharing his expertise in the pursuit of entrepreneurial excellence.
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