We are pleased to invite you to attend the special presentation on ” Development Innovation and ESG-Driven Sustainability for Inclusive and Resilient Societal Transformation “by Dr. Mana Khoshkam, Assistant Professor and Program Leader in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Department of Management, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran, as follows.
Date: Thursday, 5 February 2026
Time: 14:00 – 15:00 hrs.
Venue: Room S-101, South Academic Bldg.
Zoom Meeting ID: 307 566 7741
Abstract:
This presentation seeks to explore how innovation, digital tools, and community-centered strategies can support sustainable regional and rural development in the context of inclusive and resilient societal transformation. It examines real-world regional development challenges, pathways of innovation and digital transformation, and the role of tourism and service sectors as development tools, drawing on my research contributions and student-centered teaching experience.
First, I explore the challenges to innovation in service-driven economies, particularly tourism, hospitality, and SMEs, with an emphasis on rural inequality, and sustainability pressures. This brings attention to the innovation and digital transformation projects that provide development results by addressing the challenges by using local capacities.
Next, I’ll provide cases of sustainable tourism, smart destinations, and digital transformation initiatives, with an emphasis on ESG integration to improve environmental responsibility and improve governance practices. The examples are grounded in empirical research and project-based courses which conducted to organizational and policy settings.
Finally, I reflect on the integration of research and teaching, presenting a research-driven, student-centered approach based on case-based, experiential, and cooperative learning methods. I will use applied examples from tourism and service-sector projects developed in my classes. The discussion concludes by outlining emerging areas for development innovation research in the Asia context.
Looking forward to your participation.
