BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Developing
leadership qualities is important for increasing the
competitiveness of companies, government institutions and the
country as a whole, PASHA Holding CEO Jalal Gasimov said at the
opening of the AZEMBA program of the IE Center for Leadership and
Innovation at ADA University, Trend‘s correspondent reports from the event.
He said the agreement signed with IE University is an important
stage of the project being implemented with the support of the
Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Science and Education.
“Just a few months later, we are already welcoming the first cohort
of students. I think the fact that this program has been
implemented so quickly is a testament to the commitment and
enthusiasm of all parties involved,” Gasimov said.
According to him, the significance of the program goes beyond
creating a new academic program. “In business and public policy, we
often talk about infrastructure, technology and capital. Each of
these is undoubtedly important. But none of them can create value
on its own. Value is created by people – people who make the right
business decisions, lead teams and build companies and institutions
that implement those decisions,” he said.
Gasimov emphasized the importance of executive education,
particularly Executive Education programs. “This is precisely why
executive education is particularly important. Especially at a time
when Azerbaijan is entering a new stage of development. The quality
of our leaders determines the competitiveness of our companies and
institutions and, ultimately, our country,” the PASHA Holding CEO
said.
He noted that developing leadership qualities has long been one
of PASHA Holding’s key priorities. “We want to develop strong
leaders in Azerbaijan, for Azerbaijan and for all the countries
where we operate,” Gasimov stressed.
According to him, combining theoretical knowledge with practical
experience is essential for leadership. “We know from our
experience that leadership is not developed through training alone.
Leadership develops when knowledge is combined with experience,
assumptions are questioned, and people learn to make the right
decisions in difficult situations where the answers are not clear.
This program creates exactly such an environment,” he said.
Gasimov added that the program combines IE University’s academic
standards and international experience with Azerbaijan’s realities,
practical experience and the goals of the business community.
He noted the particular significance of establishing the program
in the year of PASHA Holding’s 20th anniversary. “We can look back
with pride at the businesses we have built, the investments we have
made and the people whose growth we have supported over the years.
But our next 20 years will depend on how we continue to learn as an
organization and on the quality of the leaders we develop,” Gasimov
said.
According to him, one of the main objectives of the Executive
MBA program should be to strengthen links between international
experience and the business experience of Azerbaijan and the
region.
“I hope this special edition of the Executive MBA program will
become a genuine, two-way bridge. While bringing knowledge and
international experience from Madrid and the classrooms to Baku,
the program should also enable the experience and ideas of
Azerbaijan and our region to become part of broader international
discussions,” he stressed.
Gasimov said it is important for Azerbaijan to contribute to the
global knowledge base rather than being only a recipient of
knowledge. “We should not see ourselves only as recipients of
global knowledge; the time has come for us to contribute to this
global knowledge base as well,” he said.
He noted that the interest in the program demonstrates strong
demand in this area. “We received more than 850 applications.
Today, 40 people who are joining the first cohort are here: 16 from
PASHA Holding and its subsidiary companies, 16 from government
institutions and related businesses, and eight from Azerbaijan’s
broader business community,” Gasimov said.
According to him, the participants’ representation of different
organizations will allow different views and experiences to be
discussed as part of the program. “Together with colleagues from
other companies, you will be able to compare how different
organizations approach problems, how they make business decisions,
how they deal with challenges and overcome them, and even how they
sometimes fail,” he said.
Gasimov noted that the main value of the program will come from
participants openly sharing their experiences and comparing
different approaches. “The main value will come from openly
discussing what works, what does not work and the practices each
organization is accustomed to. As members of the first cohort, you
have a great responsibility, because you will set the standards for
this program and shape its culture for those who come after you,”
the PASHA Holding CEO stressed.
At the end of his speech, he advised program participants to
consider the role of capital and leadership in the development of
companies. “You know that when companies are established,
shareholders invest capital, and this capital forms the company’s
initial assets. If a company uses these assets properly, it grows.
But at a certain stage, the next level of development requires new
capital, new investments, new people or even new leadership,”
Gasimov said.
According to him, new capital and leadership not only expand
financial capabilities but also bring new perspectives to
companies’ development. “But that capital or leadership does not
only bring financial expansion; they offer different perspectives,
challenge old assumptions and open up new opportunities that the
company could not reach on its own,” he added.
The AZEMBA program of the IE Center for Leadership and
Innovation was launched with the support of the Ministries of
Economy and Science and Education and in partnership with PASHA
Holding, SOCAR and Spain’s IE University. Under the program,
participants will receive education based on international
experience in areas including digital transformation, artificial
intelligence, sustainable development, innovation, leadership and
modern management.
