The Oxford Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OxCEI) at Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford has appointed Professor Linda Scott to the newly-created post of DP World Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

The chair, sponsored by DP World, will support the Centre’s programme of teaching and research into entrepreneurship, said a statement from DP World, a global marine terminal operator.

Professor Scott joins OxCEI from the Saïd Business School’s marketing faculty where she was professor of marketing since 2006. Her research interests include the study of women entrepreneurs particularly in developing countries.

Prof Colin Mayer, dean of Saїd Business School, expressing delight at Scott's appointment, said, 'She has established an international reputation as one of the leading thinkers in the field of entrepreneurship and economic development and she brings both a remarkable research output and authority in contributions to the subject.'

'Scott is an outstanding person to take the Centre forward to its next stage of development. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank DP World for its great generosity and vision in creating this post and in supporting the study of innovation and entrepreneurship at Oxford in this way,' he noted.

On her appointment, Scott said: ‘I am looking forward to working with colleagues at Saïd Business School and other departments within Oxford to establish the centre as a globally renowned research and teaching centre for entrepreneurship and innovation and to support initiatives involving new technologies, social and economic innovations, and global imperatives in health, development, and the environment.'

DP World CEO Mohammed Sharaf said: 'Entrepreneurship and innovation are key drivers of DP World and we are proud to support research and thinking in this field through the sponsorship of the Saïd Business School.'

'We look forward to the valuable contribution Professor Scott will bring. In the port sector alone, we have seen how entrepreneurial initiatives and innovation improve infrastructure, which stimulates trade, which in turn transforms the lives of people in those economies,' he added. 

Among the Centre’s activities is the annual flagship event Silicon Valley Comes to Oxford which takes place on November 22, when it will celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Established in 1996 the Saïd Business School is one of Europe’s youngest and most entrepreneurial business schools with a reputation for innovative business education. An integral part of Oxford University, the School embodies the academic rigour and forward thinking that has made Oxford a world leader in education.-TradeArabia News Service