Boston City Campus recently participated in the International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM) Connects Cape Town 2025 Conference.
The three-day international gathering brought together more than 200 scholars and innovation practitioners from over 30 countries. Held from 17–19 March in the heart of Cape Town’s thriving tech ecosystem, the event revolved around the theme "Transforming Futures Through Innovation" and featured academic presentations, innovation safaris, and collaborative exchanges across disciplines and geographies.
Representing Boston City Campus, Prof Cobus Oosthuizen, Dean of Postgraduate Studies, presented a paper titled "Innovation Leadership in the Age of AI: The Triarchic Approach." The presentation introduced the Triarchic Theory of Cognitive Disposition (TTCD), a leadership framework that integrates three complementary modes of intelligence:
The TTCD framework argues that leaders who intentionally cultivate all three capacities are better equipped to embed ethical AI, foster psychological safety, and align innovation with long-term strategic purpose.
The presentation drew strong engagement from the international audience and was shortlisted for the conference’s Best Paper Award, affirming its relevance to the global conversation on responsible innovation leadership.
Innovation in Practice: Lessons from Cape Town
In addition to the formal programme, ISPIM facilitated visits to leading Cape Town incubators and co-working spaces - underscoring TTCD’s insight that innovation thrives in environments where diverse thinkers are brought together around shared purpose. These immersive experiences highlighted the role of inclusive innovation cultures in building resilient ecosystems.
Panel discussions focused on the implications of AI in organisational contexts, which reinforces the call for a more integrated leadership mindset - one that blends analytical skill with moral foresight.
Informal peer interactions further enriched the exchange of global practices on innovation management.
Strategic Impact for Boston City Campus
Participation in ISPIM represents a significant contribution to Boston’s broader academic and strategic goals.
Insights from the conference will benefit and guide curriculum enhancements in both the MBA degree and other courses of studies in the fields of;
This ensures that Boston graduates are equipped with the cognitive agility and ethical grounding required to lead in technologically dynamic environments.
Moreover, the institution’s presence on this international stage has fostered collaborative opportunities with innovation scholars and institutions abroad, expanding Boston’s global academic footprint.
Advancing Thought Leadership with Purpose
Boston City Campus continues to affirm its commitment to globally informed, locally grounded thought leadership. The institution’s engagement at ISPIM highlights its role in shaping academic debates around innovation and leadership, particularly in contexts marked by technological disruption and social complexity.
As Boston’s research, degrees, and partnerships continue to evolve, contributions like these reflect a core institutional belief: that transformative futures require leadership that is rigorous, ethical, and deeply responsive to context.
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