The University of the Virgin Islands' popular Summer Institute for Future Global Leaders in the Caribbean enters its 18th year with a brand new name, a wider array of opportunities and an expanded audience.
The new name is the Global Institute for Leadership and Management Development or GILMD. "The name change reflects our determination to expand the program to involve a wider array of participants and to offer programs at any time, instead of being restricted only to summer programs," said GILMD Director Dr. Gabriel Ogunmokun. "The institute's expanding focus also allows us to offer courses in both leadership and management, not just in leadership."
"GILMD will offer tailor-made training programs for organizations that need our services in any area of leadership, management, marketing, finance and strategic development," Dr. Ogunmokun said. "Now organizations such as businesses and non-profits, as well as governmental and semi-autonomous agencies, can also send their employees to attend our conferences and programs."
2013 Applications Now Being Accepted
Applications are now being accepted for the Institute's traditional Certificate in Global Leadership Development Course that is scheduled for May 13 to 27, on UVI's St. Thomas campus. The course has turned out more than 500 graduates since being started in 1995.
In the past, the intensive, two-week course was open only to students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs in the Virgin Islands, the wider Caribbean, the U.S. mainland and beyond. This year, in addition to traditional students, professionals involved in all aspects of the general workforce are invited to apply for the course. It is designed to benefit anyone looking to extend their leadership skills, according to Dr. Ogunmokun.
The course will be organized into three broad areas: global business environment and strategic planning; leadership and management for tomorrow; and culture and communication. The 55-hour program includes lectures, case studies, role playing, discussions and seminars. Visits are also planned to historical sites, social, cultural, political and governmental institutions, and commercial centers. The faculty is made up of professors from various universities and top-ranking representatives from governmental and corporate institutions. Each year, guest speakers are invited to address the students on the global business environment, cross-cultural communication and leadership.
The deadline to apply for the Certificate in Global Leadership Development Course has been extended to April 2, 2013. More information - including cost, eligibility, curriculum details, a faculty roster, online and printable application forms, and a look at program history and past participants - is available from Global Institute section of the UVI website. Click on the Community/Summer Programs tab on the UVI homepage - www.uvi.edu.
Along with the formal leadership development course, the Global Institute is also planning an inaugural three-day academic conference from May 13 to 15, titled the International Conference on Leadership, Management and Strategic Development. The conference, which also takes place on the St. Thomas campus, is designed to share research and knowledge that exists around the globe in the areas of leadership, management and strategic development.
Call for Academic Papers on Leadership and Management
"We have invited academic papers from researchers, teachers, professionals and a variety of business practitioners covering 17 topic areas - from agribusiness to public administration, from tourism to information technology," Dr. Ogunmokun said. The general theme is "Effective Leadership and Management in Challenging Times." The deadline for submitting papers to be double-blind, peer review for presentation at the inaugural Conference has also been extended to April 2.
Dr. Ogunmokun, who also chairs the Department of Marketing and Management in UVI's School of Business, said that organizations involved in the current, highly competitive local and global economic environment need leaders and managers who are able to effectively and efficiently lead, plan, organize, select appropriate staff, direct, coordinate, budget and evaluate situations. "If you or your people fit this description, I encourage you to attend."
Participants in the traditional Global Leadership Development Course will also have the opportunity to attend this conference, with the goal of stimulating further discussions in the classroom and inspiring future research.
For details, send email to Dr. Ogunmokun at gogunmo@uvi.edu.