Business School Brief

Former Finance Minister Mathias Cormann appointed to UWA Business School

In January, Mathias Cormann, who had just been elected secretary general of the OECD, accepted an honorary Professorship at UWA Business School. In this new capacity, Adjunct Professor Cormann will contribute to the UWA Business School by guest speaking at MBA Masterclasses, giving special lectures in undergraduate and postgraduate courses and offering support to academic researchers. 

Research shows customers crave simpler experiences

New research from UWA Business School’s Dr Richard Gruner and Professor Geoff Soutar shows consumers crave less choice and simpler experiences despite companies offering more options, promotions and price fluctuations than ever.

The review article, published in International Journal of Management, found that bringing down customers’ mental load across the retail journey creates value for customers as well as companies.

Visionary philanthropist Stan Perron AC recognised with UWA lecture theatre

In recognition of his passion, vision and philanthropic support for a range of charitable causes, academic prizes and scholarships – including many related to the health and wellbeing of Western Australian children – the UWA Business School has named a lecture theatre in honour of Stan Perron AC.

Renowned for his commitment to ethical business practice and philanthropy, over his lifetime, Stan Perron built Perron Group – one of Australia’s most successful private companies. Growing up in the depression-era Goldfields of Western Australia, Mr Perron is the epitome of a rags-to-riches story.

Economics researcher on a mission to improve community wellbeing

The research impact of UWA’s first female Economics professor, Professor Anu Rammohan, stretches across the world: from childcare policy in Australia to food and nutrition security in Myanmar.

She’s delighted that UWA was recently successful in securing additional Australia Awards funding, which will allow five Indonesian students to study economics and public policy at the University. New articulation agreements are also in train, which will allow international students to cross credit their studies at top international universities into degrees at UWA. – and in some cases, even study UWA degrees wholly online.

Want Gen Z votes? Use social media to create intimacy

The last federal election showed low voter turnouts in Australia’s youngest electorates, despite a record level of young voter enrolments. This suggests a high level of dissatisfaction with democracy among younger voters, who are more likely to engage in non-electoral, issue-based and networked forms of political participation. Those born after the mid-1990s (termed Generation Zs) comprise around 10 per cent of the Australian voters.

Research by the UWA Business School shows that social media provides ideal avenues to build voter relationships and there are many ways of increasing its effectiveness.

Leading businessman named Western Australian of the Year

Telethon chair and graduate of The University of Western Australia, Richard Goyder AO, has been named Western Australian of the Year for his commitment to philanthropy at the 2021 Western Australian of the Year awards.

Mr Goyder, who graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Commerce, chairs the WA Symphony Orchestra, Qantas, Woodside, the Australian Football League and diabetes not-for-profit JDRF and served many years as a UWA Business School Advisory Board member.

MBA Mentoring Program Launch

The UWA Business School’s MBA Mentoring Program Launch in May was a Who’s Who of WA business community’s senior leadership and showed, in real terms, how our alumni community supports our students through in their leadership journeys. An inspiring event with many takeaways, including the mutually beneficial nature of mentoring.

2021 UWA Business School Prize Giving Ceremony

On Wednesday 4 August, we hosted the 2021 UWA Business School Prize Giving Ceremony to acknowledge the academic achievements of our exceptional student community and continued contribution and support of our generous donors. The light breakfast event held in the UWA Business School foyer gave our students the chance to celebrate their achievements with their award donor and share their UWA student journey and plans for post-graduation. 

UWA Business School Alumni Career Café

At the inaugural UWA Business School Alumni Career Café in April, alumni returned to campus en masse, to share career experiences and tips with current students, helping them to build their own career strategies.

Careers in Business at UWA Open Day

UWA Open Day in March, where graduates shared their study and career stories at a special Careers in Business panel for prospective students and their families, demonstrating the power of our degrees to build lives and careers with impact.

The Annual Shann Memorial Lecture

In May, the Annual Shann Memorial Lecture welcomed Guy Debelle, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), for a webinar discussion about the RBA’s monetary policy During COVID. Specifically, Mr Debelle spoke to the actions taken over the past year and the impact they are having on the Australian economy and financial markets. The Shann attracted extensive media coverage and added to the long history of distinguished speakers including many RBA Governors. You can watch, or listen to, the discussion on the RBA website.