View of the Bignami building on IMD Campus Lausanne in Switzerland in July 2024. (Photo: Dorian Tosca/IMD)
IMD LAUNCHES TWO FLEXIBLE MASTER’S DEGREES TO ADDRESS LEADERSHIP GAP
IMD Business School has announced two new executive master’s degrees aimed at developing leadership talent in the age of AI and digital transformation. The Master of Science in Sustainable Management and Technology and the Master of Science in Business Analytics are designed with maximum flexibility in mind.
Participants can study either full-time or part-time while continuing their professional careers. The programs combine online and in-person components and offer multiple entry points throughout the year. IMD says this approach will help mid-career professionals reskill without stepping away from their jobs.
The curriculum focuses on core leadership and digital capabilities, with hands-on projects and mentoring. Faculty from IMD and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) will teach the courses, supported by industry experts and real-world case studies.
The school developed the programs after industry partners expressed a growing need for leadership talent with digital and sustainable strategy skills. The first cohorts begin in September 2025.
Alliance Manchester Business School.
AMBS OFFERS 50% FUNDING FOR GREATER MANCHESTER LEADERS IN 2025
Alliance Manchester Business School will offer half-off executive education course fees in 2025 for public and third-sector leaders in Greater Manchester. The initiative supports professionals working in health, education, local government, and non-profits.
Eligible leaders can choose from a range of short courses, including digital transformation, leadership, and strategy. Funding is intended to help local leaders build skills to address regional challenges and improve public services.
The school piloted the funding in 2023 and expanded it after positive feedback. Participants in the initial program cited new ideas, increased confidence, and better cross-sector connections as major takeaways.
Applications open in May 2024. AMBS encourages early interest due to expected high demand.
FRANKFURT SCHOOL LAUNCHES MASTER IN FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management will launch a new Master in Financial Technology (MSc) in August 2025. The four-semester, full-time program will be taught in English and targets students with backgrounds in economics, business, mathematics, computer science, or engineering.
The curriculum blends financial economics with financial technology, including modules on AI, blockchain, and data-driven innovation. The program follows a three-day model, allowing students to work while studying. Frankfurt School’s Blockchain Center and other industry partners will support practical learning and real-world application.
Students will work on hands-on projects and collaborate with financial institutions, startups, and regulators. The program emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship, preparing graduates for careers in a rapidly evolving FinTech sector.
Vice President Christian Landau says the degree supports Frankfurt School’s ambition to lead in digital transformation and finance education in Europe.
FOME ALLIANCE LAUNCHES VR MODULE FOR LEADERSHIP EDUCATION
The Future of Management Education (FOME) alliance has launched its first virtual reality (VR) module focused on leadership and crisis management. The project brings together eight top business schools, including EDHEC, ESMT Berlin, HKUST, Imperial, Ivey, Johns Hopkins Carey, Luiss, and Vlerick.
The module uses a device-agnostic platform to offer both 3D and 2D access. A key feature is a 20-minute pilot scenario where users practice soft skills by navigating a crisis with a digital avatar. By sharing resources and co-developing content, FOME members reduced development costs by more than 85% compared to going solo.
The project was developed with Cornerstone using a no-code VR authoring tool, allowing schools to adapt and expand scenarios independently. Feedback from institutional pilots beginning in 2025 will shape future versions and guide plans for commercialization.
The alliance aims to standardize immersive learning while making it scalable. Leaders at both FOME and Cornerstone say the initiative sets a new bar for experiential learning in management education.
ESMT BERLIN ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
ESMT Berlin has launched a new scholarship initiative to promote diversity in senior leadership. The school is offering full and partial scholarships for three of its top executive education programs: Bringing Technology to Market, the General Management Seminar, and the Executive Transition Program.
The scholarships support professionals preparing for senior roles, including those moving from divisional leadership to board-level responsibilities. Entrepreneurs and executives with global portfolios in B2B markets are also encouraged to apply.
Each program targets a specific group. For Bringing Technology to Market, partial scholarships of €7,300 are available for women leading new business units or innovations. The General Management Seminar offers full (€20,500) and partial (€10,250) scholarships to women with leadership experience in SMEs. The Executive Transition Program supports general management candidates with full, half, and quarter scholarships.
Application deadlines range from April to August 2025. ESMT says the initiative reflects its broader commitment to equity and inclusion in executive education.
Esade Business School
ESADE ACHIEVES CARBON NEUTRALITY IN SCOPE 1 AND 2 EMISSIONS
Esade has reached carbon neutrality in scope 1 and 2 emissions, reducing its carbon footprint by 84% compared to 2019. The milestone was verified by TÜV Rheinland and recognized by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition. Esade’s efforts go beyond offsetting, emphasizing real reductions in emissions through green energy and efficiency upgrades.
The school’s strategy included solar panel installation, switching to renewable energy, upgrading equipment, and encouraging responsible consumption across campuses. It also improved waste management and supported offset projects like Spain’s Mijares reforestation effort and Brazil’s Cykel forest conservation initiative.
Esade now joins a small group of global institutions – such as UNSW Sydney and Arizona State University – that have reached similar carbon targets. Its strategy reflects a deep, long-term commitment to sustainability in education.
The school recently joined AERO, a European network of business schools focused on decarbonization. The alliance promotes collaboration on best practices and reinforces Esade’s mission to shape environmentally conscious business leaders.
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