Three Presidents. One conversation. At MIT Sloan School of Management.

What does it take for a business school to stay globally relevant — while remaining deeply rooted in its region — in an era shaped by AI and shifting geopolitical dynamics?

At a recent dialogue, graciously hosted by MIT Sloan in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Asia School of Business (ASB) brought together three generations of the School’s leadership — current CEO, President and Dean, Professor Joseph Cherian; former President, Professor Sanjay Sarma; and Founding President, Professor Charles Fine — for a timely discussion on the future of education, leadership, and global competitiveness.

“We have a cross-disciplinary approach… a very engineering way of thinking about problems,” shared Professor Joseph, our current CEO, President and Dean, highlighting ASB’s evolving trajectory as a globally relevant institution anchored in Southeast Asia.

For Professor Sanjay, the shift is even more fundamental: “AI is no longer just another technology — it’s a way of thinking required to navigate a complex world.”

Reflecting on ASB’s founding philosophy, Professor Charles emphasized the importance of cultural and intellectual bridging: “We built a culture that could engage both the East and the West — and understand the challenges of both.”

Moderated by Andrew Foley (Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations, NYU Stern, and MBA 2018 — ASB’s inaugural cohort), the session explored how institutions can translate global trends into meaningful impact for Malaysia, the wider Asian region, and beyond.

As AI continues to reshape industries, the way we work and talent demands, the conversation reinforced a clear idea: The future of business education lies not just in global excellence — but in local relevance, contextual understanding, and the abilities to navigate and thrive across worlds.

“Global Excellence, Local Relevance: Academic Leadership at the Intersection of AI and Global Fragmentation” held at MIT Sloan’s Wong Auditorium