Student Focus

Research: Socially Just Development Growth Models: A Case Study Of Ghana

Worsening disparities among and within countries in terms of income, GDP, and welfare have occupied the attention of researchers and policy makers over the years; in particular, how the alignment of these disparities with one or more language, religion, or geography creates violence and conflict. In Ghana, there is a north-south divide of the country in terms of income, access to services, and other development outcomes. Orthodox economics holds that these disparities will disappear with economic growth and with time, but the opposite is happening in practice. Although Ghana has registered positive economic growth since 1983, poverty and spatial inequality in terms of incomes, access to services and welfare has worsened, especially between northern and southern Ghana.

Student Focus: Robert Mahnic – D.Phil. in Business Research

Mr. Robert Mahnic is a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Research Candidate. He holds a Master of Arts From the University of Saskatchewan, an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina and Certificate of Management from SAIT Polytechnic in Alberta. Mr. Mahnic has participated in many academic, consulting and professional research projects, workshops and presentations and has been either the sole, principal, joint or contributing author of numerous journal articles, consulting and management reports. He has also presented at, moderated, or facilitated large group discussions at more than 30 conferences, seminars and regional/national workshops. At present, he holds a professional position at TransCanada Corporation and was previously with the National Energy Board, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, AMEC Earth & Environmental, Communiplan Inc., Enbridge Pipelines, the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs.

Student Focus: Siva Marayanan

Mr. Siva Narayanan is a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Economics Candidate. He holds a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University USA, a Master in Health Care Policy & Management from John Hopkins University USA as well as a Master of Science in Bioengineering from the University of Strathcylde UK. At present, Mr. Narayanan holds the position of Executive Vice President and Global Head of Market Access Solutions in the USA. Formerly, he has held Senior Vice President/Director and Managerial positions at well-known internationally operating companies, including: GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co. He has served on the editorial boards for several medical journals, including: Health Outcomes Research in Medicine, Archives of Internal Medicine, and Health Services Research. He is an active researcher with many publications in peer reviewed journals as well as having presented at many conferences within the field of health care.

Student Research: The Effect Of Exchange Rate Policy, Oil Shocks And Income Tax On GCC Economies

As of 2015, the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the GCC Region was $1.74 billion. Between them, these six countries hold close to 40% of the world�s oil reserves in its land��the largest in the world with 486.8 billion barrels��and 22% of the world�s proven gas reserves (GCC, 2015). However, the current risk to the outlook of the economy in the region is a decline in oil prices whereby external oil shocks could severely impact the macro economy. Based on a study of GCC 2020 conducted by The Economist (2010), the GCC countries depend largely on the production and export of oil, which is roughly 40% of the region�s GDP. However, expectations indicate the depletion of most reserves of oil within 25 years, which pushes these countries to work on diversifying their economies. Exchange rate management in the GCC has been a significant concern for both economic and political research. Thus, the consideration of exchange rate regimes became a controversial issue for policy makers especially those in the GCC. The US represents only 7% of the region�s total trade, which makes the benefit of pegging to the USD economically questionable. Based on the need of adjusting monetary policies according to the needs of the domestic economies of the GCC, especially during high inflation periods and external oil shocks periods, the contemplated research will seek to recommend a more suitable exchange rate policy that best benefits these economies. Moreover, using empirical findings, the contemplated research will identify a specific taxation policy that can help GCC governments diversify their income so that it is not so highly dependent on oil revenues.

Ms. Anastasiia Lutsenko Receives The Monarch Student Leadership Award

Monarch Business School is happy to announce that Ms. Anastasiia Lutsenko-Romanko is the recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Student Leadership Award. Ms. Lutsenko is a D.Phil. in Business Research Candidate. Anastasiia has received this award for her tireless efforts helping the administration and leading her fellow students. Through her efforts the school has been able to improve its offering to the students. It is with great pride that we recognize her with this award. The award was presented to her at the occasion of the 2015 Doctoral Symposium and graduation ceremony at the Rapperswil castle.