Dean of Graduate Programs
Director of Creative Cities Institute (CCI)
Narxoz Business School (NBS), Narxoz University, Kazakhstan
Professor Jayarethanam Pillai recently assumed the role of Dean of Graduate Programs and Director of Creative Cities Institute (CCI) in the Narxoz Business School (NBS) at Narxoz University, Kazakhstan. He has been tasked in revamping the Graduate Programs in the business school and introducing new international graduate program partnerships, along with getting NBS closer towards international accreditations and recognitions. In addition to this, his role in the CCI, heavily focuses on pushing forth visions of Industry 4.0, leading to next generation teaching and research pedagogies for NBS. Jaya has accumulated extensive teaching and research areas, economics, public policy, technology management and systems of innovation are some to mention.
Formerly, he was the Division Head of Business and Dean – School of Entrepreneurship and Business Administration and an Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA). He dedicated his time as a Professor of Economics at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE Academy) and a lecturer and thesis supervisor for graduates. He was involved heavily in the School’s Strategic Development, particularly in the ongoing efforts towards AACSB, AMBA and CEEMAN Accreditation Standards.
During his 4 years tenure at AUCA, he established research centres within the SEBA umbrella: Centre of Entrepreneurship and Institute of Policy and Social Change (IPS), expanding the interdisciplinary research activities of the School in areas of State building, Social Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking; Futuristic Intelligence Institute (FII), dealing big data, data mining, AI in the fields of business; Organizational Research Institute (ORI) expanding research in areas of HRM and OB; Centre for Entrepreneurship, establishing a platform for start-up and accelerator opportunities. Recently, he was awarded the Matthew Nimetz Award (2018) for outstanding intellectual contribution towards the advancement of research at the American University of Central Asia.
Jaya has published and teaches extensively in the political economy of Southeast and South Asian economic development. He researches and seeks to explore the developmental role of state in fostering economic development. His expertise explores the importance of technology development and the emergence of cluster–led economic progress in emerging economies. Developing collaborative R&D activities and designing policies among the Central Asian Economies is a key area he is now being highly engaged. He has been involved heavily in the last year or so developing strategies and a road map on Social Entrepreneurship development in Kyrgyzstan and how its impact has far reaching implications towards economic progress, especially in the regions.
Jaya received his PhD in Economics and Public Policy from The Australian National University in University in 2006. While being an adjunct lecturer in the initial years, Jaya has been working in the private sector in the various industry sectors, and has developed a keen interest to integrate theory to practice in these sectors.
Outside the classroom, Jaya loves to work-out in the gym and time permitting attend cardio aerobics. He loves playing and watching soccer and an ardent fan of Liverpool and Brazil since the age of 9 years old. Of recent years, he has become a keen follower of the American National Football League (NFL). Travelling, hiking, movies and cooking are some of his other favorite past times.