African scholar and award‑winning creative writer, Professor Al‑Bishak, a Nigerian‑born literary critic, theorist, and renowned Egyptologist, is set to leave Nigeria for Denmark en route Egypt. He has been invited by the United States‑based Africa Academy of Management (AFAM) as the “Distinguished Speaker” at the Professional Development Workshop (PDW) on Egyptology for management and organization scholars at the 85th Annual Meeting of the global Academy of Management (AOM), scheduled to hold at the end of July in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Al‑Bishak, who lectures at the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, will join a high‑profile lineup of presenters and participants at the workshop. Other presenters include Professors Baniyelme D. Zoogah of McMaster University, Canada, and Alexander R. Peever, while the discussants are Professors Amanuel G. Tekleab of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA, and Samuel Aryee of the University of Surrey, England. About 100 scholars from across the globe are expected to be trained during the workshop.
Described by the sponsors as “a renowned Egyptologist,” Al‑Bishak is expected to leverage his deep knowledge of ancient Egyptian society alongside his experience as a member of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), Nigeria and other professional organizations.
He will draw parallels between management and organizational techniques applied in Kemet (ancient Egypt) and those adopted by modern practitioners. In addition, he will speak on the emerging African literary theory he propounded, Leoparditude, which he describes as:
“an Afrocentric construct and bulwark against mental slavery.”
His planned stopover in Egypt is to enable him to source the latest Egyptological findings to enrich his presentation and excite workshop participants.
The workshop will also explore the ancient Egyptian society of the black Pharaohs, highlighting how it became the world’s first empire during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III and laid the foundation of modern civilization by pioneering literacy and numeracy (formal education)—essential tools of management and organizational science.
The Academy of Management (AOM), based in New York, USA, is globally recognized as “the preeminent professional association for management and organization scholars with members across the world.” Its membership includes professors and doctoral students in business schools, academics in related social sciences, and practitioners. Founded in 1936, the AOM boasts over 18,000 members in more than 120 countries.
