Developing
business leaders

I have had the honour of serving as Dean of SFU's Beedie School of Business since the start of 2016 and, during that time, I have led an in-depth consultation process with our faculty and staff to fully understand and define the School’s goals and values. 

The result of this work is now crystallized in our new mission statement, called Vision 2022. Our Mission page outlines the statement in full, but it is summarized as follows: We develop innovative and socially responsible business leaders with a global perspective through education, inspired by research and grounded in practice.  

Developing the vision is only the first step, and we are now committed to putting this vision into practice in every aspect of SFU Beedie’s activities, from program development, teaching and research to recruitment. 

We are accredited by the world’s two leading accreditation bodies – the European Federation for Management Development (EFMD) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – which places us among a select group of business schools that have qualified for both. The rigorous external review process confirms the high quality of our academic activities and the international relevance of our programs. 

Our faculty are thought leaders in areas that will define business in the 21st century: technology and innovation; sustainability, socially responsible corporate citizenship; financial risk management; corporate governance; and cross-cultural management. Respected around the world, they use their research skills to advance our understanding of these complex issues and as accomplished teachers, they bring the latest ideas into their classrooms. They deliver value through the practical application of their knowledge and learning. 

Students continue to inspire and motivate us as we help them learn how to become responsible leaders and managers in business. Our approach to teaching is an interactive exercise as we adapt and improve our programs and curriculum to meet the needs and demands of future business leaders. Our goal is to make a difference to our students, our community, and the world by addressing the critical issues of our time: globalization and emerging markets; technological change; and ethical, social and environmental challenges. We believe that in helping to build innovative new organizations we can contribute to building a more sustainable world. 

Our location in metropolitan Vancouver, a region that prides itself in being the gateway to the Asia Pacific and an emerging knowledge centre, provides a dynamic setting in which to research, study and learn. I am excited by our opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the future both of our local community and communities around the world. With a motivated, world-class faculty, a bright and talented student population and a staff that brings professional service to both, I am confident we can contribute to resolving the challenges of today by fostering innovative and responsible decision making for the future.

Sincerely,

Ali Dastmalchian
Dean, SFU Beedie School of Business