The Asian Institute of Management (AIM), in partnership with the Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®), hosted the 2024 GMAC Asia Conference. The event brought together leading professionals to explore the transformative landscape of graduate management education, with a particular focus on technology, innovation, and collaboration.
GMAC Chief Executive Officer, Joy Jones, set the tone for the conference by emphasizing the importance of the shared learning initiated through this event. “It is an opportunity for us to gather like this as a community and really have meaningful discussions about our rapidly changing industry landscape,” she shared. Jones also mentioned that albeit being a confusing time for management graduates, it is also an exciting time to connect, share ideas and challenges, and collectively move forward toward success.
AIM President and Dean, Jikyeong Kang, PhD, highlighted the ongoing dialogue about artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, acknowledging that while the industry is discussing AI extensively, we do not have all the answers. She encouraged participants to approach the conference with a learning mindset, “My philosophy every time I go to meetings like this is that if I can walk away with one new piece of knowledge – something I did not know before – and if I made one new friend, especially in a collaboration or a professional interest, then I feel like my time was worth it.”
The conference’s keynote speaker, Eugene Acevedo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, delivered a powerful message about the potential of AI and technology in business and education. “Never in the history of mankind have we found this much intellectual power,” Acevedo proclaimed, underlining AI’s life-changing potential in addressing global challenges. Key takeaways from his speech emphasized
the importance of AI as a tool to augment human capabilities, the need for education systems to adapt their curricula to emerging technologies, and the critical role of collaboration between business and academia in driving innovation.
During his closing keynote speech, Jaime Urquijo, Chief Sustainability and Risk Officer of Ayala Corporation, emphasized the evolving expectations for graduate management talent, stressing that modern organizations seek professionals who transcend traditional technical competencies. “We are looking for people who do not just have a degree, but are able to think in degrees,” he explained, highlighting the need for graduates who can navigate complex business landscapes while maintaining a holistic understanding of stakeholder impacts.
The event spotlighted a range of topics, including leveraging analytics in admissions strategies, innovative marketing approaches, the practical application of AI, and sustainability in business education. These sessions provided new perspectives and practical strategies for the participants.

As GMAC celebrates 70 years of supporting graduate management education, the Asian Institute of Management continues to position itself at the forefront of educational innovation. By participating in this momentous conference, the Institute strengthens its commitment to being the nexus of Asian excellence – shaping future-ready leaders capable of leading in a complex and technology-driven world.