A word from…
Referring to the construction of the European Union, Jean Monet used to say: “If I were to begin again, I would begin with culture”. I would dare to add its twin brother – education. It is through higher education – and research, that cannot be separated from it – that Europe will be able to radiate, and exist as a source of universal knowledge. Twenty years on from the foundation of CEMS back in 1988, we can proudly celebrate the contribution of our alliance to the spread of the European identity among generations of students and business leaders. From this perspective, CEMS has achieved its original objective: build a pan-European standard of excellence in business education. But to strengthen its identity, Europe must also revive the notion of mixing, and be fully open and connected to the world. This is why the CEMS Strategic Board has proposed a new global ambition for CEMS: build bridges with the best pre-experience Master’s programmes around the world, consolidate a global degree standard, with the CEMS MIM as role model for an international joint degree delivered globally in partnership with the most renowned multinational companies. Europe can be proud of having given birth to CEMS in 1988 – and can be even more proud to share it with the world in 2008.
CEMS has started a move for growth with no precedent: the new global CEMS alliance is targeting a network of 35 schools and 70 companies globally in five years from now. Following long and thorough preparation, the globalisation process of CEMS has now been decided with the impetus of all stakeholders in our organisation. But the founding principles and the success factors of CEMS remain unchanged: careful selection of the best schools in the countries relevant for companies and students; selection of the top tier students for the MIM programme; close cooperation between the academic and the corporate worlds; network spirit built on international cultural diversity and mutual trust; programme quality check through peer reviews. Ranked No.2 in Europe by the Financial Times in 2007 for the second consecutive year, our ambition is now to make the CEMS MIM the first joint Global MSc degree. The CEMS map has been extended with new world-class schools in St. Petersburg, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and Boston. Prestigious global companies have also joined us in 2007 to support our project. And students and alumni are giving us the drive to make it come true.