The Visionary Trailblazer: Dr Fayyaz Qureshi's Impact at Oxford Business College
In the heart of Oxford, the halls of Oxford Business College buzzed with newfound energy and innovation, thanks to the transformative leadership of Dr Fayyaz Qureshi. In 2020, Dr Qureshi established the Research Department within the College with his astute vision and passion for research. It began a remarkable journey towards academic excellence and groundbreaking discoveries.
With each passing year, Dr Qureshi's impact grew exponentially. In 2021, he took another bold step by founding the Oxford Centre of Applied Research and Entrepreneurship (OxCARE) and the Oxford Business Research and Innovation Network (OxBRAIN). These initiatives fostered a culture of innovation and provided a platform for students and faculty to collaborate on cutting-edge projects. In the first national conference of OBC held in August 2023, Dr Qureshi proudly announced that the total number of OBC research papers exceeded half a century (51) within two years. All papers are published in reputable peer-reviewed journals. He sets self-targets and is excited and working very hard to announce at the second national conference of OBC in August that his department and Research team have made the century.
As Dr Qureshi's reputation soared, so did his ambitions for the College. In 2022, he played a pivotal role in fostering professional excellence at Oxford Business College through the establishment of the Oxford Staff Centre of Professional Excellence (OxSCOPE), a hub dedicated to enhancing the skills and capabilities of staff members, ensuring they were equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving educational landscape. He obtained Advance HE membership for the College and extended this benefit to OBC staff by organising workshops and assisting with membership applications. As a result, the College saw a significant increase in staff achieving fellowship status, with 2 AFHEA, 40 FHEA, 2 SFHEA, and 1 PFHEA membership. Dr Qureshi further supported staff in completing professional qualifications such as ACCA by arranging weekend online classes, ensuring continuous growth and skill enhancement. Most recently, Dr Qureshi forged a strategic collaboration with Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Dundee, Scotland, offering doctoral opportunities for OBC academic staff. The College will allocate five scholarships annually to support full-time staff members in pursuing advanced research and academic achievements, demonstrating Dr Qureshi's commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and advancement within the academic community. He also recommends relevant LinkedIn courses, conferences, and seminars to staff.
The pinnacle of Dr Qureshi's achievements came in 2023 with the establishment of the Oxford Business Innovation and Incubation Centre (OxBIIC). Under his visionary leadership, this centre became a beacon of entrepreneurship and creativity, nurturing aspiring business leaders and transforming innovative ideas into reality. He aligned the College mission with the OxBIIC mission and developed a five-year (2023-28) transformation Strategy.
Today, Dr Qureshi stands at the helm of these transformative ventures, serving as the Head of Research and the Founder and Head of OxBIIC. His leadership has not only elevated Oxford Business College to new heights but has also earned him prestigious accolades, including the Independent Higher Education Rising Star award in 2023.
Dr Fayyaz Qureshi's journey is a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His contributions continue to shape the future of education and entrepreneurship, leaving an indelible mark on Oxford Business College and inspiring generations of scholars and innovators.
