Why is diversity important in universities and higher education institutions offering MBA programs?

According to the QS Global MBA Rankings, EU Business School ranks #1 globally for class and faculty diversity, making it home to the most diverse MBA programs in the world.

It’s no secret that diversity is an important trend in professional settings and beyond. When it comes to MBA programs, Joanne explains, “Diversity in an MBA class is important in order for students to be able to share experiences [and] ideas that take into consideration a variety of perspectives that include various cultural differences because we live and work in a globalized world and today’s leaders have to have international knowledge and understanding of global market trends, customer needs, [and] preferences in order to be successful. I truly believe that without this kind of sensitivity, you cannot be a successful business leader today.” (02:40)

At EU Business School, diversity is exemplified in its multicultural student body, faculty, and staff of more than 100 nationalities. “These are people who represent all cultures, genders, [and] age groups, and it’s about sharing knowledge and experiences of all of these groups in order to shape the leaders of tomorrow,” Joanna tells us. (03:42)

Diversity is also evident in EU Business School’s MBA programs, which offer a wide range of majors, from international business to design thinking to blockchain management to leisure and tourism.

The changing meaning of diversity – and why employers care

While traditional measures of diversity, like gender and nationality, remain important in education, the meaning of diversity is continuously evolving. 

“I believe that diversity overall [is] growing in intensity,” Joanne reflects. “Today, more than ever, we’re seeing how important different perspectives are to consider in a business environment. In more countries around the world, I feel people of all cultural backgrounds, genders, and so on, are demanding inclusivity, and quite rightly so because, ultimately, we’re all human beings and there is no reason for one group with certain characteristics to be treated differently than others.” (07:15)

It is near-impossible for companies today to avoid the topic of diversity & inclusion (D&I). As Joanne put it, “Customers expect companies to target their specific needs. So, in order to be able to do that, these leaders of the future have to have this sensitivity and these kinds of abilities also and the understanding of the differences that we have today.” (08:44)

Proud of its international and multicultural outlook, EU Business School gives its students a variety of opportunities to immerse themselves in diverse learning experiences. “One of our core values is that we’re very open and inclusive and we’re not only open to human diversity, but are equally open to new ideas and diversity of thought and new ways of doing things,” Joanne says. “We work with a huge area of businesses to try to understand the changing environments and to be able to adapt to those for our students so that they have all of those skills that are required in business today because this is constantly changing.” (04:11)

With a 96% placement success rate, MBA graduates at EU Business School are well-equipped to join today’s dynamic, diverse workforce.

What does EU Business School look for in MBA candidates?

At EU Business School, the admissions team looks for candidates who are curious, open to new experiences, hard-working, and collaborative. “We know that organizational structures, in general, are more flat today because of agility and how fast markets are changing and whatnot, so decisions have to be made very quickly,” Joanne says. “That requires more group collaboration and so we really foster that in the classroom. We try to teach students how to manage teams because this is really a big part of everyday leadership, and thus part of all of our classes.” (05:37)

When it comes to showcasing diversity in your MBA application, Joanne says, “I feel as though each application that comes to us is special in their own way…I would say be open. Be proud of who you are.” (10:14)

Additionally, Joanne has some helpful guidance on the essay portion of the admissions process. “We ask our students to provide us with an essay in which we want to learn a little bit more about the student aside from their academic achievements and their grades and whatnot,” she tells us. “Through that essay, introduce yourself, tell us who you are as a person, what you think makes you special, and what you can add to the EU Business School community. This is what we welcome very much.” (10:58)

In conclusion, diversity is here to stay. There is a lot of value in joining one of the most diverse MBA programs in the world, with diverse student and faculty communities. In today’s globalized, collaborative, complex world, studying in a diverse and inclusive learning environment can give you the edge you need to thrive and be successful in your (future) career.