Strategic alliances and a revamped curriculum: NEOMA’s Master in Management picks up the pace

Published on 30 May 2024 by Aziza B.

NEOMA’s Master in Management is pursuing its transformation, building on new alliances while simultaneously reinventing itself from within. New French and international double degrees will be added to the programme offering, particularly in the fields of engineering, data, artificial intelligence and the environmental and social transition. Internationally, new partners will be joining the School’s network. At the same time, the programme will be enriched with new courses, seminars, study tracks and specialisations from the start of the new academic year.

 

Mastering new skills, taking action for the environmental and social transition, operating in a changing world, learning to innovate so as to forge new trails… the challenges facing today’s young generation are considerable. “In a rapidly changing world, we need to respond quickly,” says Delphine Manceau, Dean of NEOMA Business School. “This is why we have decided to ramp up the transformation of our Master in Management by bolstering our strategy of forming alliances with the leading institutions in France and abroad, while continuing to reinvent ourselves from within“.

New opportunities in science and technology

In response to the growing complexity of today’s business world, from the start of the new academic year, the Master in Management will be expanding into the fields of science and technology.

• Engineering: NEOMA will be launching four new French “Manager-Engineer” double degrees with INSA Rouen, CESI, EFREI and ESIGELEC. Four new international double degrees will also be offered with National Tsing Hua University and Tongji University, one of the top 10 universities in China. “Our students will have the opportunity to pursue a Master in Management Science & Engineering or a Master in Technology Economy & Management,” explains Imen Mejri, Director of NEOMA’s Master in Management
• Data: NEOMA will offer a new double degree with Elon University. “Our students will be able to join the M.S. in Business Analytics at this prestigious university, which is one of the most innovative in the United States,” explains Mejri. A number of new courses have also been added to the data-focused curriculum: Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics & Decision Making, Tools for Data Analytics (minor).

• Artificial Intelligence: The School is leveraging its cutting-edge expertise in artificial intelligence, recently recognised by the AACSB, to launch its new MSc Artificial Intelligence for Business, which will be offered as a final-year Master’s specialisation. “This new MSc will train professionals capable of managing AI as a source of innovation and a lever for growth, at a time when the market is severely lacking this skill,” adds Mejri. NEOMA has also signed a new double degree with INSA Rouen for its MSc Artificial Intelligence for Business.

Geopolitics on the rise

“In increasingly polarised world, management and geopolitics are more than ever two strategic and inseparable skills for tomorrow’s leaders“, explains Mejri. NEOMA is therefore strengthening its historic alliance with IRIS (Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques) through:

• A new geopolitics course in Year 1, taught jointly by professors from NEOMA and IRIS.
• 4 double degree study tracks: Geoeconomics, Risk Management & Corporate Responsibility; Defence, Security & Crisis Management; Geopolitics & Foresight; International Programme Manager – Humanitarian Aid & Development, which attract more than 20 students each year.
• The launch of the “Geoeconomic & Geopolitical Forum,” an event bringing together experts in international relations, researchers and business leaders to decode the impact of geopolitics on business. After a successful first edition in April 2024 on the themes of energy and food sovereignty, the forum will become an annual event.

The curriculum will also be expanded to include a new Year 2 course on Business & Geopolitical Risk.

A strengthened study track in Environmental & Social Transition

“Like our NEOMACT initiative, our objective is to equip students to play an active role in transformation and to better understand these complex issues, going beyond good intentions,” notes Mejri.

• The ‘Impact Track’ (formerly the PEA track – ‘Parcours Entrepreneuriat et Associatif’ – which allows students to combine their studies with involvement in an organisation or entrepreneurial project thanks to a schedule combining classes in the morning with time devoted to hands-on engagement in the afternoon) has been enriched with a new “societal” sub-track. Developed in partnership with local and national NGOs, this will mobilise students on a 15-hour-a-week volunteer project for the duration of their Year 2. Specific courses – “Social & Environmental Transition & the Power to Act” and “Projects & Social Engagement” – complete this scheme.
• The Master in Management will offer a new core course on “Sustainability” in Year 1 and a new seminar on “Dimensions in Sustainability Transition” in Year 2.

Finally, a double degree agreement has been signed with the University of Bologna, enabling NEOMA students to enrol in the Italian institution’s Master in Social Economy Management.

Innovation and international development ever more firmly in the School’s DNA

“In parallel, the Master in Management continues to deepen its commitment to innovation, one of NEOMA’s hallmarks,” emphasises Manceau. “With a comprehensive curriculum designed to turn our students into innovators within the institutions they join, in line with our ‘Shape the Future’ signature“.

“In line with our historical commitment to international study, NEOMA has an ambitious international policy,” explains Manceau. “With 400 academic partners around the world, we have the largest network of any business school in France.” At the same time, the School is continuing to develop its Master in Management with:

• Two new double degrees with CEIBS, ranked #1 in Asia (for its MBA), and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, ranked in the top three in Italy (for its MSc Global Business Management).
• Twelve new exchange agreements with prestigious institutions around the world, including Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics in Portugal and Aarhus University in Denmark.

“Our mission is to give our students the keys to successfully navigate this uncertain world and become informed and adaptable players,” concludes Delphine Manceau. “This is why NEOMA is ramping up its transformation, to give its students the momentum they need“.