The future of MBA programs is sustainability. To meet global climate goals, MBA programs must equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills to address sustainability challenges. Embracing digital innovations like AI is imperative to achieving sustainability objectives.
The United Nations Global Compact roadmap projects that an annual investment of $3 to $5 trillion is required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This financial challenge has led to a significant transition in MBA programs toward placing a stronger emphasis on sustainability.
MBA curricula are being updated to equip students with practical tools and strategies to implement sustainable practices effectively. These modifications provide the skills to succeed in business and contribute to accomplishing global sustainability objectives.
Sandra Richez, Global MBA Program Director at EDHEC Business School, is proud of how her institution integrates sustainability throughout its MBA program. (00:24)
The EDHEC Global MBA revolves around learning by doing. Through ESG projects, students deeply understand sustainability and its impact on business operations. This led to the MBA program’s ranking as #3 for ESG in the FT 2023 Global MBA Ranking.
Sandra explains that EDHEC is motivated to tackle sustainability because of the reach of their students. “What we teach the students while they’re in the MBA, we hope, and we plan for that to go back out into companies once they rejoin the workforce.” (00:52)
By integrating sustainability into every core course and specialization, EDHEC creates future business leaders focused on achieving sustainability goals.
In response to emerging industry trends, MBA programs offer specialized tracks expanding students’ knowledge and expertise in specific areas. EDHEC Business School offers four specializations: Finance, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Digital Innovation. (04:18)
Each specialization is designed to address industry-specific challenges, equipping graduates with the skills to make a substantial impact in their respective fields.
For instance, the Digital Innovation track partners with IBM to explore emerging technologies and their impact on businesses. Sandra says, “We partner with our incubator, which is one of the most innovative research centers in France. So that’s pretty exciting. And our students will go and pitch to angel investors who are located in that incubator.” (05:20)
Meanwhile, the Finance track devotes a week to sustainable and climate finance, reflecting the increasing importance of environmental considerations in financial decisions.
Complementing the tracks, EDHEC organizes learning expeditions to international hubs of innovation and sustainability. The excursions provide first-hand exposure to cutting-edge practice. Through these expeditions, candidates comprehend the complexities of the drive toward sustainability.
Sandra underscores the advantage of drawing upon resources from EDHEC’s top-tier finance faculty and the climate finance research center in Nice. (04:24)
The EDHEC-Risk Climate Impact Institute assists private and public decision-makers in effectively handling climate-related financial risks and optimizing financial tools to transition towards low-emission, climate-resilient economies.
This way, the institution taps into the increasing demand for financial professionals with a deeper understanding of environmental considerations in economic decision-making.
Of course, it’s not just sustainability that’s a pressing issue for the near future. As businesses embrace digital transformation, MBA programs incorporate relevant coursework to prepare future leaders. As they delve into the changes AI brings, students must understand its potential and the responsibility of its adoption.
The EDHEC MBA has already incorporated AI and its implications for business. Sandra explains, “We have a core course in data tech and AI, and they’re really going to look at the higher level type questions about how can businesses embrace new technology.” (06:17)
Global MBA students explore AI and digital innovation through elective courses and learning expeditions. They engage with cutting-edge technologies while learning how to apply them practically. A learning expedition to IBM allowed students to gain an understanding of tech concepts such as blockchain, IoT, cybersecurity, and data protection. (07:32)
MBA programs must stay up-to-date on the latest trends to educate students effectively.
Sandra explains that at EDHEC, “Every year, we do an advisory board meeting where we invite professionals who are in cutting-edge businesses to join us.” (08:38)
Additionally, faculty members actively research sustainability and technology, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant and cutting-edge. (09:37)
This collaboration assists the MBA program in adapting its curriculum, incorporating applied projects, and tackling emerging challenges such as ethics in AI. This ethical perspective ensures that future leaders prioritize sustainability and responsible decision-making.
The dedication of business schools such as EDHEC heralds a promising future for MBA programs in fostering a more sustainable and inclusive global business landscape.
Are you exploring MBA options? Learn more about EDHEC Business School and its Paris, Lille, Nice, London, and Singapore campuses.
