Business education is facing questions that extend well beyond the classroom.

Geopolitical uncertainty, advances in artificial intelligence, changing expectations among students and employers, and the growing importance of international collaboration are prompting business schools to reconsider how they create value and demonstrate impact.

Regional perspectives are essential to this conversation. The challenges facing a business school in the Americas will not necessarily mirror those in Central Asia or across Asia, yet there are common questions about quality, relevance, internationalisation, innovation and institutional purpose. In the coming months, we will bring our global network together at three regional EFMD events to examine these issues in their specific contexts and create opportunities for meaningful cross-border exchange.

Americas: Business education for a disrupted world

From 30 September to 2 October, the 2026 EFMD Americas Annual Conference will bring together business education professionals in Medellín, Colombia, under the theme “Business education for a disrupted world”.

The conference will consider what disruption means for business schools in practical terms. Geopolitical instability, differing needs across student and faculty communities, and the continued development of AI are creating a complex environment in which established assumptions about management education are being tested.

Rather than seeking a single response, the conference will provide a forum for regional discussion, knowledge sharing and peer exchange. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own experiences, concerns, and initiatives while learning from colleagues working across the Americas.

The event is open to business professionals across the region and will provide opportunities to build relationships within the EFMD Global network. With no single institution able to address every challenge alone, collaboration and dialogue will be central to the programme.

Register for the 2026 EFMD Americas Annual Conference

Central Asia: Strengthening impact and internationalisation

On 21 October, EFMD Global and the Accreditation and Rating International Agency (ARIA) will convene business school and higher education leaders in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for the 2026 EFMD & ARIA Central Asia Workshop.

The workshop, themed “Advancing business education, impact and internationalisation”, will focus on opportunities for institutional development, international collaboration and strategic engagement across Central Asia.

For institutions seeking to strengthen their international ambitions, the workshop will offer a practical introduction to initiatives within the EFMD Global network. Discussions will consider how BSIS, EDAF and International Projects can support business schools in strengthening impact, quality and international engagement.

The programme will combine presentations, panel discussions and networking, allowing participants to consider both regional developments and approaches that can support longer-term institutional priorities. Particular attention will be given to partnerships and international cooperation, including Erasmus+ and other collaborative projects.

The workshop is intended for senior leaders and professionals, including deans, vice deans, academic directors, internationalisation and quality assurance professionals, and those responsible for strategy, partnerships and institutional development.

Participation is free and by invitation. Learn more.

Asia: AI, internationalisation and new value creation

The regional EFMD events programme continues in Wuhan, China, from 11 to 13 November with the 2026 EFMD Asia Annual Conference. Under the theme “Business schools in transition: AI, internationalisation and new value creation in Asia”, the conference will examine some of the most significant questions facing management education across the region.

The event will bring together educational institutions, companies and associations to discuss emerging developments and regional priorities in management education. Plenary sessions and group discussions will provide space to examine how business schools can respond to developments in AI, strengthen international engagement and consider new approaches to value creation.

The conference will also provide an opportunity to build relationships with peers from across Asia and beyond. Regional networks are particularly important as institutions navigate questions that are both locally specific and increasingly international in scope.

This year’s conference will be hosted by the School of Management at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), one of China’s long-established management schools. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience Wuhan, a major centre for science, education and higher learning in Central China.

Register for the 2026 EFMD Asia Annual Conference

A season of regional dialogue

Regional EFMD events reflect the range of issues facing business education and the importance of considering them through geographic and demographic perspectives, as each one provides a unique setting for business schools to examine priorities in collaboration with peers facing related questions.

For EFMD Global, regional engagement is an important part of supporting dialogue across the management education community. These conferences and workshops provide opportunities not only to discuss current challenges, but also to develop partnerships, share practice and consider how institutions can prepare for what comes next.

The conversations will indeed differ in Medellín, Tashkent, and Wuhan; however, they all contribute to a broader discussion about the roles and responsibilities of business schools and how institutions can work collectively to strengthen management education across wider communities.

For additional insights, announcements, and perspectives, visit the conversation on Regional EFMD Events or Business Education.