UofA School of Business - Provincial Impact and Recent Initiatives
ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
The Alberta School of Business (ASB) has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1916 as a school of accountancy. Over the years, it has grown and evolved, becoming the first business school in Canada to be accredited by the international Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 1968. The school awarded its first Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree in 1924, and in 2010, it was formally named "The Alberta School of Business." These milestones highlight the school's longstanding commitment to excellence in business education.
Both the Business School and the University of Alberta are consistently ranked in the Top 5 in Canada. The vision of the Alberta School of Business is to shape tomorrow and better the world through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to uplifting each other. The school aims to anticipate future trends, cultivate a culture of excellence, illuminate with impactful research, and integrate diverse perspectives to address complex global challenges. This vision is aligned with the broader strategic goals of the University of Alberta, focusing on interdisciplinary research, immersive education, and strong community engagement.
Looking ahead, ASB is focused on several new initiatives designed to strengthen its academic offerings and global presence. These include expanding master's programs in areas like management analytics and real estate development, establishing The Cities Institute to foster interdisciplinary research, and enhancing accessibility through holistic admissions. Additionally, ASB is building international partnerships, such as launching an MBA program in Singapore and developing new 2+2 programs with institutions in Latin America and Asia, all aimed at ensuring the school remains at the forefront of business education globally.
VIKAS MEHROTRA
Vikas Mehrotra is the Dean and Professor of Finance at the Alberta School of Business. He holds a PhD in Finance from the University of Oregon, USA, and a BTech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, India. Dr. Mehrotra has served as President of the Northern Finance Association and is a member of the Canadian Sustainable Finance Network. He has been a visiting professor at the Institute for Economic Research at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo and at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina. He has also been a past Shimomura Fellow at the prestigious Research Institute at the Development Bank of Japan.
Since joining the University of Alberta in 1992, he has held several leadership roles, including Associate Dean of MBA programs (2002-2005), where he launched the Masters in Financial Management in Shenzhen, China, as well as degree offerings in Fort McMurray. He also chaired the Department of Finance from 2007-2017, helping to found the Alberta Finance Institute to foster financial education and research contributing to the province’s economic development.
As Dean, Dr. Mehrotra is committed to fostering an innovative environment within the Alberta School of Business. He has spearheaded efforts to create partnerships with universities across Asia, enhancing the global reach and impact of the School. Additionally, he is focused on integrating analytics into all business courses, ensuring that students are equipped with the critical skills needed in today’s data-driven world. His leadership is centered on preparing students for the evolving challenges of the global business landscape, ensuring that the school remains a dynamic and forward-thinking institution.
TRISH REAY
Trish Reay is Professor and Vice-Dean at the Alberta School of Business. A key component of her role is focused on strengthening the relationships and culture within the school to continuously increase levels of excellence in teaching and research. She views this internal strength as critical to building dynamic and valuable interactions with local, national and international communities. Her own teaching and research strengths are related to the development of people skills and managing organizational change processes. She has been a faculty member of the Alberta School of Business since 2003.