HSG reinforces presence in Latin America

10 October 2016. The University of St.Gallen has been operating a hub in the Brazilian financial metropolis of São Paulo since 2010. Over the years, we have steadily increased the activities of the HSG representation there. The institute consolidates the presence of the University of St.Gallen in Latin America with collaborative research and consultancy. It is thus expanding its networking with partner universities and companies. The management is taken on by Dr. Angélica Rotondaro as Director of GIMLA. The managing committee is formed by Prof. Dr. Ulrike Landfester (Vice-President, External Relations), Dr. Peter Lindstrom (Head of Quality Development) and Dr. Wolfgang Reichenberger (member of the HSG Alumnis Advisory Board).

Representation in Brazil since 2010

The HSG had already opened the hub in Latin America as part of its internationalisation process in the summer of 2010, with its head office in São Paulo. Over the past six years, the aim has been to increase the network of the university in Latin America through cooperation with partner universities, alumni in the region, students and partner companies. Each year, an average of 200 students and around 25 faculties currently complete a period of stay abroad in Latin America; the HSG is also enjoying increasing publicity in Latin America.

The research focus in 2012 was defined as "Impact Investing" and "Social Finance" and the current "Impact Business Latin America" platform, which provides an "accelerator" for regional collaborative research, promotes projects in "Impact Investing" and "Social Finance" and shares the latest scientific findings in publications and at conferences was born. In so doing, the HSG representative in São Paulo also carries out its own research on business models which have a positive influence on society and the environment. The subjects of "Inclusive Business", access to health care and renewable energies thus receive particular attention.

In line with its fields of research, the HSG hub for Latin America is a member of the "United Nation Business Schools for Impact" network and part of the "Social Finance Task Force" in Brazil.

Working together with regional businesses

In the area of consultancy, the representative of the University of St.Gallen in São Paulo cooperates with regional businesses to improve their strategic approaches towards business sustainability and to evaluate possible involvement in "Inclusive Business" and "Impact Investing".

The new GIMLA has likewise made a commitment, as part of the "Corporate Lab", to finding HSG students practical placements in Latin America. So far, around 30 students from the HSG have been able to gain work experience as part of a twelve-month practical placement in São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile. Furthermore, the previous HSG hub has organised several further education activities and four international conferences.

Opening with a conference

The new "St.Gallen Institute for Management in Latin America" will be officially opened on Tuesday, 18 October 2016. This will be together with the fifth Impact Business Conference on the subject of "Innovative Business Models for a Sustainable Society – Insights from Latin America". The conference is being held on the HSG Campus in St.Gallen. Media representatives are very welcome.

Bild: Photocase / MFO