Holiday message from Dean Vikas Mehrotra

Dear alumni, colleagues and friends,

Wow, did this year fly by! It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the end of 2024. Yet as the year draws to a close, I’m thrilled to take the time to reflect on some of the achievements of our Alberta School of Business community and share our gratitude for your continued support and partnership.

2024 has been a year of milestones and forward-thinking initiatives for the school. This fall, we proudly launched our strategic vision — an ambitious plan guided by our collective values as determined, daring and kind members of our communities. With champions across our school leading its implementation, we’ve already begun to see the impact of our priorities come to life, and we look forward to continuing — and talking about — this important work together in 2025.

We have also expanded our academic programming, responding to emerging industry needs and shaping the future of business education:

• The Master in Management Analytics is now accepting applications for its inaugural cohort in Fall 2025.
• A new analytics major will soon be in place to empower undergraduate students with cutting-edge skills.
• The forthcoming Master in Real Estate is progressing through approvals, with exciting updates to come.

Our commitment to students remains a cornerstone of our success. This fall, we welcomed nearly 1,000 new students to the BCom program. The undergraduate office implemented a new student ticketing system, recognized institutionally for setting a best-practice standard, resolving over 1,800 tickets since its implementation with an impressive one to three business day turnaround. They also connected with nearly 3,000 students through 12 engagement and wellness events throughout the fall term, demonstrating our dedication to holistic student support.

In research, our faculty have achieved record-breaking success this year, publishing an unprecedented number of articles in top management journals and I wish them continued success in publishing and knowledge sharing throughout the new year. From launching the Rainbow Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub to applying advanced analytics in healthcare, transportation and other fields, our researchers are driving innovation and tackling critical global challenges.

Our students, too, have made us proud. Co-op Program admissions increased by 21 per cent, while our industry tours expanded to include trips to Calgary with over 80 students visiting employers in the energy, finance, consulting, technology and real estate sectors, and a trip to Toronto's finance sector with a group of MBA students. Initiatives like the Leadership Development Program have equipped over 220 student leaders with the tools to thrive, while events like the Career Cafes connected students with industry professionals in transformative ways.

Students are making a difference outside of the classroom, too. This year, over 750 first-year students focused on proposing solutions on the issue of affordability in Edmonton as part of the Ferguson Impact Series, and over 400 second-year students focused on projects related to the local economy in Edmonton as part of the MNP Impact Series. 

We’re also celebrating the 40th anniversary of our PhD program, highlighting the achievements of alumni — like Tyler Wry, Tulin Erdem and Alan Webb and who have shaped academia and industry. Meanwhile, our undergraduate and graduate programs continue to inspire and foster future business leaders.

Our centres and institutes continue to lead the way in bridging academia and industry, tackling complex challenges and fostering meaningful collaborations. This year, the Centre for Cities and Communities hosted its third annual City Building Conference, which brought together industry partners, community leaders, and government officials to explore innovative approaches to shaping thriving urban environments. The Alberta Business Family Institute celebrated the legacy of multi-generational entrepreneurship with its 20th annual Signature Event, highlighting the resilience and success of outstanding business families. We also launched the AI Centre for Decision Analytics, dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, data-driven solutions to some of today’s most pressing decision-making challenges. Across all these initiatives, we remain committed to education, partnerships and creating impactful solutions that contribute to a better future for industries, communities, and society.

Our commitment to shaping the future of business education extends to engaging with young learners and fostering diversity. This year, the Office of Education welcomed over 400 junior and senior high school students to campus for immersive one-day business programs and learning experiences. More than half of these participants were Indigenous youth, reflecting our dedication to advancing Indigenous enrollment and inspiring the next generation to see the possibilities of a post-secondary business education.

We are also investing in the future of our school with construction set to begin this spring on our state-of-the-art analytics lab — a space that will foster collaboration and innovation at the intersection of technology and business.

Finally, we are deeply grateful for the incredible support of our donor community. This year, our development team surpassed a remarkable fundraising milestone, cresting just over $6 million. We’ve also taken trips to Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto, with another planned for January. These visits — along with renewed efforts to actively connect with and listen to business leaders and alumni in our community —  reflect our school’s priority to engage meaningfully with our alumni and emphasize the vital role they play in shaping our shared future. 

As we close out a year of remarkable achievements, I’m reminded of the strength and kindness that define our community. Together, we’ve accomplished so much, and I look forward to all that we’ll build in 2025. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous new year.

Warm regards,
Vikas Mehrotra
Dean, Alberta School of Business