Business dean candidates give public talksJan. 15, 2010 KALAMAZOO--Two candidates for the position of dean of Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business will give public presentations at the end of January.
Dr. Nicholas van der Walt, dean responsible for the Dubai campus of Hult International Business School in the United Arab Emirates, and by Dr. Ajay Samant, interim dean of the Haworth College of Business since July 2009, will make presentations on Monday, Jan. 25, and Wednesday, Jan. 27, respectively. Both presentations will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 1040 of the Fetzer Center, with receptions following until 4 p.m. Each candidate will speak on the topic, "Building on the Haworth College of Business Foundation in the Michigan and Global Economic Climate."
Dr. Ajay Samant joined the WMU faculty in 1992 as an assistant professor of finance. He won promotions to associate and full professor of finance before becoming chair of the Department of Finance and Commercial Law and director of the financial planning program in 2003. Before his post as interim dean, he served as associate dean of the college from 2007 to 2009. Samant earned his bachelor's degree in statistics in 1979 and a master's degree in economics in 1981, both from the University of Bombay. He completed his doctoral degree in 1992 at Indiana University. He also has been a visiting professor in New Zeeland and has been an administrator and instructor in WMU's graduate business program in Singapore since 2000. Dr. Nicholas van der Walt completed his undergraduate education in business administration, economics and law in 1977 and also earned an honors degree in business administration in 1978 from Rhodes University, and a doctoral degree in international strategic management from the University of Bath in 1984. Also a professor of business administration, van der Walt was appointed dean in 2008. He was previously dean of the College of Business at Dubai Aerospace University and chief executive officer of the University of Wollongong in Dubai. He also worked as a consultant from 1991 to 2005, focusing on market research and business development for several international companies, and was honorary consul for the Republic of South Africa, appointed by then-President Nelson Mandela. Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu WMU News |
