The founding fathers sought to establish the premier graduate school of management in and for Asia. More importantly, they wanted to develop capable and socially responsible managers for the region. I believe that, despite many serious challenges and crises along the way, they achieved those objectives.

In particular, I salute our senior faculty for having persevered and given so much of themselves to the cause. Not only did they teach the latest management tools, they shared with the students the latest in contemporary management thinking. More importantly, they challenged the students to think for themselves and formulate solutions for a myriad of real-world challenges.

The AIM student experience simulates the real world - it is designed not to permit the student to coast. The student is constantly required to exercise judgment, not only with respect to the cases he /she reads, but also in how to deal with that formidable adversary – time. This rigor is a hallmark of the AIM education we know. However, the test of the pudding is in the eating

After developing over 34,000 alumni (from over 70 countries), our Institute faces an even more challenging future. Globalization has raised the academic bar; the world’s leading players have entered AIM’s traditional markets and its region has become the most dynamic and promising economic region in the world. Like you, I am proud to note that our alumni have acquitted themselves with distinction, in the face of these formidable challenges.

AIM’s alumni have thrived in enterprise, government and even non-government, not-for-profit institutions. The numerous partnerships with enterprises, public sector institutions. multilateral agencies, multinational companies and individuals throughout the region bear eloquent witness to the Institute’s success.

AIM at 40 is however at a crossroad. Much is required if it is to retain a leadership role in our incredibly dynamic and rapidly integrating region. It is no longer sufficient to simply “be current” – everybody needs to be. Our AIM in the future must represent what it teaches. Among others, it must:

1. Understand important global trends, issues and management thinking.

2. Truly understand Asia best – its historical, cultural, religious, political circumstances, business practices and imperatives. Its graduates must be uniquely equipped to bridge the divides created by its rich diversity.

3. Be a thought leader on issues most relevant to the region, contributing actively to the articulation of an Asian perspective to these issues.

4. Establish strategic partnerships with quality institutions in the region that share similar values, aspirations and commitments

5. Become, as an institution, the meritocracy it advocates.

AIM has had a great run in its first forty years. Much of its ability to successfully meet the challenges of the future lie in the alumni’s, hands. If the message resonates and results in active and positive engagement, I think we have an exciting opportunity to re-invent a cutting-edge and eminently relevant AIM for the next forty years.