AACSB International Recognizes IÉSEG for Innovation in Leadership Development
04/17/2018
Today, AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) has recognized IÉSEG School of Management among 30 global institutions who are defining what it means to lead in the face of uncertainty and cultivating that winning skillset in the next generation of business leaders.
The third annual Innovations That Inspire challenge recognizes institutions from around the world serving as champions of change in the business education landscape, with a specific focus on innovation in leadership development.
IÉSEG has been recognized in the category “Enhancing Approaches to Leadership Education Development” for its innovative approach to fostering the cultural intelligence of its students, notably through its Cultural Diversity Passport initiative. This passport has been designed to introduce students to the notion of cultural diversity to help them better recognize and respect their own culture and the culture of others, a crucial skill for students working in the global economy. It is compulsory for all bachelor students who must pass two components: an academic course and the International PEER-learning activity that involves a series of guided interactions with someone who is culturally different. Students are also encouraged to participate in one of the many multicultural projects proposed at the school.
The School also runs an intercultural training program for all staff, which aims to provide them with the tools needed to better understand cultural diversity in everyday life and help them embrace these differences.
Academic Dean Caroline Roussel explains: “We are honored to be included in AACSB’s Innovations That Inspire initiative, and are proud to be recognized among the 30 institutions who have demonstrated how business schools can foster innovation. The teaching and learning experience at IÉSEG is international and intercultural by nature (more than 100 different nationalities are present on campus). However, our vision and strategy go much further than just providing a multicultural environment and providing students with international experience, through exchanges and internships. As part of our aim to be a unique international hub, we have invested in the development of intercultural competences among students and staff and in fostering research engagement and diffusion in this area.
The School has recently (March 2018) launched a Center of Excellence for Intercultural Engagement which focuses on intercultural dynamics in business and organizations and the development of intercultural competences. Bringing together academics from different disciplines (management, marketing, finance…) and administrative staff from across the School, the new Center is: developing leading research in these domains; working with companies; and reinforcing the development of intercultural competences for all students and staff at the School. Through these different activities, the School aims to help offer solutions to the complex managerial problems that develop in an increasingly global economy
For an overview of all featured innovations, visit www.aacsb.edu/innovations-that-inspire.