SHANGHAI SURPRISE: MBA STYLE
What is your role within the Global MBA programme?
I joined KEDGE Business School in MBA Admissions in Shanghai in 2013.
What kind of personal investment does this require?
My major was in French language and after graduated, I went to France to continue my studies. Meanwhile, my father and many relatives work within universities. This is the reason why I decided to start my career in the education field.. especially a top-ranked French-based business school. This job helps me to build strong communication skills and networking abilities as well as develop my patience, precision and logical thinking which boosts my level of professionalism. Thanks to KEDGE for helping me grow! I joined the program as an assistant and I am now in charge of all MBA recruitment in Shanghai.
"Create, Care, Share… says it all!"
What is the importance/significance of staff involvement with EMBA participants?
The slogan of KEDGE Business School: Create, Care, Share… says it all!
CARE is the word which best represents the staff. For the MBA programme, all participants are senior level in their companies. They need to balance their work, life and study. This is even a key factor in selecting the right MBA program. The staff need to CARE for the participants.
Why do they choose the MBA program? The reasons are always similar: the bottleneck of career development, the improvement of management knowledge and the networking with student colleagues. Generally, the MBA program offers such aspects. What pushes the candidates to choose the KEDGE Global MBA? Apart from the specialization of the program, the human care we offer is also very important! The admissions officer is the first contact person for them. We listen to them, find their needs and seek the best solutions for them.
What do you get out of working with EMBA participants?
I like to communicate with the participants and join in with their class activities. They will share their knowledge, career experiences and working methods. These different experiences help me to improve myself and broaden my horizon.
"Diversity of backgrounds!..."
What are your key challenges with respect to participants?
Diversity of backgrounds!… including their cultures, work experiences, educational backgrounds, ages... Everyone is different in an MBA cohort and sparks often fly when their different ways of thinking collide. But, this is also one of the charms in the MBA program. However, as the admission manager, I respect the differences among participants… their language, habits, characters...
Of which achievement involving a participant/participants within the EMBA are you most proud?
There are several…
The rankings come, to an enormous extent, from the participants review of the programme. Consequently, I see this as a reflection of our work and the quality of their MBA experience.
Kedge is currently ranked N°1 worldwide in salary growth with a 103% increase 3 years after the end of the programme vs. salary at the entrance of the MBA; N°5 worldwide for career progress calculated according to changes in the level of seniority and the size of company alumni work in now, versus prior to the EMBA; and N°15 worldwide for “aims achieved”.
This one, in particular, is the qualitative assessment our alumni give of whether they have reached the objectives they had when entering the program. I’m very proud of this!
Unique in China, Kedge holds a Gala Dinner every year and hundreds people attend it. With the support from the KEDGE Business School, the MBA students organize this event themselves in every detail.
The new intake students will prepare performances as well! It reflects the 3 key values of KEDGE Business School.
The participants CREATE this gala dinner, CARE for everyone within the school community (alumni, staff, professors...) and SHARE their spirits to the new intake students. I participate in this event as well and am so glad to see how quickly the KEDGE’ers mix together and integrate.
"50% female participants..."
How do you see the EMBA evolving in the coming years for participants?
From a Chinese perspective, I see an increase the need for Chinese business elites with international experiences. The mission of the KEDGE Shanghai programme is to satisfy the localization of multinational companies and the internationalization of local companies. However, in the midst of globalization, there are more and more candidates who already have the educational background overseas or work experiences aboard which will greatly improve the internationalization of the programme.
Also, we strive for an increase in the number of female participants. We have almost 50% female participants. And I hope to see more female entrepreneurs in the future.
Additionally, I expect to see an increase the participants from emerging industries such as the cultural and creative, electronic information, biological engineering sectors and “stars” from other laterally-cooperative companies like Tesla, Naked Hub...
Finally, we expect to see a change and increase in participants coming from functions like engineers, information systems and supply chain...
In all of these questions, how do you think things differ between Chinese and non-Chinese participants?
Simple. How culture Influences their manners and behavior…
