Faith, Finance and Enterprise (FFE) as A Level grades sound like a big FAIL. By a strange coincidence, if we examine textbooks on economics, business, accounting or finance, we would also often find Faith completely deleted. Should that also be marked as a Fail in the education we impart?
In truth Faith is a secret ingredient which often creates and motivates sustainable leadership, whether in business or the professions. It provides meaning and purpose which are priceless qualities for leadership.
In the UK, we have a historic ‘British Accounting and Finance Association’ for University Lecturers and Professors of Accounting and Finance. Over five decades it has transformed the global landscape of Accounting and Finance research and education by shaping pioneering research and critically challenging the status quo.
For the first time in its history, we had a multi-faith pilgrimage last weekend in Harrow, north-west London, where we walked a mile to visit three popular places of worship – a Greek Orthodox Church, a Jain Temple and a Swaminarayan Hindu Temple. It was an ‘experiential’ pilgrimage rather than an analytical enquiry, as sadly in the field of academia, faith has long been a taboo topic.
At the end of the trip, we were provided a fresh volunteer-cooked vegetarian lunch prashad, where Rikin Kerai is the youngest ever Secretary in the history of the Harrow Swaminarayan community. We then had the opportunity to reflect and have a dialogue around the experience and take note of what it means for our teaching and research in the University environment. In this discussion we were joined by two practicing accountants Rashik Vekaria and Kiran Malde who shared their experiences.
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Experience and dialogue are very important ways of learning and teaching. We also found that in engaging with diversity not only do we learn about others, but we also grow our own thinking and creativity in the process. Much ignorance and many prejudices melt when we go on a multi-faith pilgrimage. It truly opens our hearts and minds.
Education can embrace difference if it makes an effort in learning about alternative cultures and their diverse perspectives. Experience is an important method in melting the poison of ignorance and prejudice.
As we celebrate Guru Purnima this week, when we salute our teachers, I raise this challenge against secular modern business education. Is the exclusion of faith sustainable?
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Professor Atul K. Shah [@atulkshah] teaches and writes about Indian wisdom on business, culture and community at various UK universities and is a renowned international author, speaker and broadcaster.