The event, marking IPMA’s 60th anniversary, brought together leading experts, researchers, and institutions worldwide to discuss the future of project management in a globally connected and digitally driven society. Representing Alma Mater were Dr. Reinhard Wagner, Deputy Head of the Doctoral Programme in Project Management, and PhD student Walid SS Nassar.

Dr. Wagner was one of three keynote speakers, delivering a plenary lecture titled IPMA Research Insights: Advancing the Projectification of Society, in which he explored the growing organization of work and social processes in project-based forms. “Society is increasingly organized through project structures, both in terms of work and broader social processes. This phenomenon, which I call ‘projectification of society,’ is not merely a shift in how organizations function, but a profound transformation in institutional structures and societal roles. It is crucial to understand the impact of modern technologies, especially artificial intelligence, on project practices. This impact is immense and calls for a fundamental rethinking of our approach. We need sustainable and adaptable organizational transformation to remain effective and socially relevant in the future,” Dr. Wagner emphasized.

The conference took place at Dubai Internet City. This modern tech hub reflects the event’s focus on innovation, digital transformation, and international collaboration, the cornerstones of the future of project management.