Carly MurphyChapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics has announced the launch of its Asia-Pacific Geoeconomics and Business Initiative set to expand the university’s commitment to providing global education and understanding the dynamic Asia-Pacific region’s role in the global economy.
The Asia-Pacific Geoeconomics and Business Initiative, referred to as APGBI, is set to become a beacon of knowledge and a premier resource, recognized both nationally and internationally for its cutting-edge research. Spearheaded by inaugural Director, Robert Koepp, former chief economist (Asia) for The Economist, this initiative brings together experts with decades of experience in research and commentary.
To mark the launch of this initiative, two events took place in March. The inaugural speaker series featured the esteemed Cynthia Wang, an expert in investment banking and sustainability. Additionally, in fall, a groundbreaking index will be unveiled that provides a first-of-its-kind window into the ever-evolving geo-economic and business landscape of key Asia-Pacific markets.
“We’re part of the Asia-Pacific community,” Argyros Dean Henrik Cronqvist said at Wang’s talk in March. “You think it’s over there, but it’s also here literally because of the inflow of immigration into Orange County. Many businesses in our area have close ties to Asia … that is part of the world that is the closest to us from a business perspective, from an economics perspective. ”
Koepp advised over 200 Asia-based C-suite executives using The Economist Intelligence Unit’s exclusive economic analytical and forecasting methodologies. His expertise covers an extensive range of topics, from geopolitics and economics, to trade and business, as well as the multifaceted connections between America, California, and the vast Asian landscape.
Professor Koepp also is sharing his wealth of knowledge through advanced courses on strategic management and Asia-Pacific geoeconomics and business, offered as part of Chapman University’s rigorous MBA programs.
One of the key differentiators of APGBI is its holistic approach to Asia-Pacific studies. While many other thought centers focus on specific regions, APGBI encompasses geopolitics, economics, and business, with a special emphasis on California and Orange County, where Irvine recently has become the newest U.S. city with a predominantly Asian population, says Koepp.
APGBI serves as a platform to actively engage in current events and shape discussions around pressing issues. For instance, the institute’s expert perspective on the China-Taiwan tensions goes beyond abstract economic analysis. Koepp will dive into the implications for businesses operating within the value chain, their strengths, and how they can effectively respond to these situations. Koepp states, “We’re not just looking at things abstractly from an economic standpoint, we also look at what it means for businesses that are active in the value chain, and what their strategies need to be, and how do they react to these situations?”
About Chapman University
Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a nationally ranked private university located in Southern California. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution and offers personalized education to more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. Based in the City of Orange, Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine. In 2019, the university opened its 11th college, Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering, in its newest facility, Keck Center for Science and Engineering. Learn more about Chapman University: www.chapman.edu.
