Henley Cape Town takes centre stage as a global research hub

In a display of the power of global collaboration and technology, both events unfolded simultaneously in Cape Town and BJTU, establishing a real-time intellectual exchange between two continents and laying the groundwork for future global academic collaboration.

Professor Kecheng Liu from Henley Business School, University of Reading UK, chaired the opening ceremony of LISS on 27 July, setting the stage for a series of addresses. Professor Guan Zhongliang, Vice President of BJTU, and Jonathan Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa, formally welcomed guests and scholars on behalf of the organisers and host institution and underscored the importance of this South Africa-UK-China partnership.

Well wishes and welcoming words were also extended by You Wenze, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Cape Town, Professor Elena Spasova, Dean of the Henley Business School at the University of Reading (via video link), Andre Laubscher, Director of Dahua Technology South Africa, and Elina Yu, Sales Director of China Unicom (Africa). Professor Zhang Runtong, a general co-chair of LISS2024, provided an overview of the conference’s organisation and reported on the submission and review process.

The IEIS conference taking place the following day was also opened by Professor Kecheng Liu and featured a robust programme of keynote speeches and panel discussions. Professor Hua Guowei of BJTU delivered a speech that warmly welcomed the attendees.

Key themes explored over the two days included the impact of AI and IoT on logistics and supply chain management, the challenges and opportunities of last-mile delivery, and the role of technology in addressing global food safety concerns. Renowned scholars delivered keynotes in fields ranging from management science, logistics management and logistics information to industrial economics. These included:

• Professor Li Xuewei from BJTU gave a keynote titled “Discussion on the Theory of Global Associative Space of Human Consciousness.”
• Professor Martin Dresner from the University of Maryland delivered a speech titled “Targeting Online Sales through Last-mile Delivery Platform Integration.”
• Professor Yannis A. Phillis, a research fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc), presented on “A National Healthcare Model under Climate Change.”
• Professor Zuo Min, President of Beijing Wuzi University, offered a keynote on “Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Technology Assisting Food Safety Supervision.”
• Professor Kecheng Liu from the University of Reading delivered a keynote on “Digital Talent and Leadership: Leveraging the Power of AI and Digital Solutions.”
• Professor Chen Jian from Tsinghua University delivered a keynote titled “Quality and Private Label Encroachment Strategy.”
• Andre Laubscher, Cape Town Director of Dahua Technology South Africa, reported on the state-of-the-art technologies and applications of integrated AI and IoT solutions.

Professor Kecheng Liu, opened the research conference on Day 1.

Professor Elena Spasova, Dean of the Henley Business School at the University of Reading welcomed delegates via video link.

With nearly 300 papers submitted and 120 accepted, the conferences attracted a diverse range of participants from 13 countries and fostered valuable connections between industry leaders and researchers. Roundtable discussions involving BJTU, Henley Business School and the Chinese Consulate General also explored opportunities for future scientific research and academic exchanges between South Africa, the UK and China.

After the conferences, many delegates flew to Johannesburg and visited Henley’s Johannesburg campus to learn more about business schools' achievements and to discuss academic collaboration in more detail.

“Henley Business School and its African team, in particular, provided significant support for these conferences with meticulous preparation and organisation, as well as real-time on-site support during the conferences, which was critical to their success,’ comments Professor Liu. “Their contributions were highly praised by both the conference organisers and attendees.’

Jon Foster-Pedley served as the conference co-chair, while Professor Danie Petzer, Head of Research at the Henley Business School Africa, served as the chair of the program committee. Additionally, Graham Garrard from Henley Business School Africa acted as an organising chair for the conferences, ensuring smooth operations at the Cape Town facilities.

Professor Petzer commented that the successful hosting of these events reflects Henley Business School Africa's commitment to academic excellence and research and its role in building a knowledge-based economy in South Africa.

‘As Africa continues to play an increasingly important role in the global economy, conferences like these are essential for driving innovation and development and hosting them positions Henley Africa as a key player in shaping the continent's academic future. Furthermore, events like these are essential for building a skilled workforce and driving innovation. 

‘This is just another way in which Henley Africa is giving substance to our claim to be building the people, who build the business, that build Africa – for a fairer world.”

The next conferences will be held in Budapest in July 2025, hosted by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

Conference delegates travelled to Henley's Johannesburg campus for further discussions on academic collaboration.