By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Sunday, March 11, 2018, at the GSMC campus in Nairobi, the Aga Khan University School of Media and Communications (GSMC) together with the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University launched a Transforming Leadership for 21st Century Africa Programme.
This first-of-its-kind programme marks the first time Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) has collaborated with a university in the region to offer a leadership course.
Most leadership programmes currently offered in the market are not designed to give solutions to the challenges that leaders face, especially in today’s volatile environment.
The Transforming Leadership for 21st Century Africa programme will help executives exercise leadership amid uncertainty with skill, purpose and effectiveness.
It combines the teaching experience of renowned faculty from both Kenya and USA and incorporates seasoned leaders to offer their expertise in dealing with leadership issues. In addition, participants will be assisted by both faculty and coaches to find solutions to their leadership challenges.
Prof. Rhonda Breit, Associate Dean, GSMC says the programme is a unique offering comprised of two back-to-back courses. Adaptive Leadership for Africa: Chaos, Complexity and Courage, delivered by HKS Executive Education.
“2017 presented leaders with many challenges politically, socially and economically. The Transforming Leadership for 21st Century Africa programme will offer leaders with a unique learning experience that will change the way they think about leadership and communication, and help them explore new methods of tackling the challenges of contemporary Africa,” Prof Breit said.
The first module of the programme which runs from 11th – 16th March 2018, welcomed senior leaders from various sectors from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Gambia, Egypt and USA.
Upon graduation in June 2018, participants will receive certificates from both Harvard Kennedy School and the Aga Khan University. More importantly, they will gain new skills, fresh perspectives and strategies for dealing with specific workplace challenges facing them and their organizations.
Programme Facilitators: Hugh O’Doherty (Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School); Michael Koehler (CEO of KONU); Martin Oduor-Otieno (Chariman and CEO, Leadership Group Limited) and Mike Eldon (Management Consultant and Executive Coach).