THE CEMS MIM
The Global Alliance in Management Education (CEMS)
Currently I am pursuing the CEMS MIM at the University of Sydney Business School (CEMS home school) and Bocconi University (CEMS host school). The CEMS MIM is often referred to as a double degree as students will receive upon graduation a certificate from their home school and CEMS. The CEMS MIM is the most international postgraduate study program in management on the market and in this section I will explain the following: What CEMS is, the CEMS curriculum as well as my personal experiences with the CEMS MIM so far.
WHAT IS CEMS?
A global alliance of leading business schools, corporate and social partners
CEMS is a cooperation of leading business schools and universities with multinational companies and NGOs. The CEMS Global Alliance includes 33 academic institutions on five continents, nearly 70 corporate partners and seven social partners (NGOs) from around the globe. CEMS administers delivery of the CEMS MIM degree in its members schools, supports the CEMS Alumni Association (CAA) and facilitates general cooperation among its members.
Vision statement of CEMS
The Global Alliance in Management Education (CEMS)
"CEMS is recognised as a unique global community, comprising the world's finest students, schools, alumni, corporate and social partners, delivering the leading international Master's in Management (MIM) that prepares responsible leaders contributing to a more open, sustainable and inclusive world."
MISSION STATEMENT OF CEMS
Academic excellence
The pursuit of excellence with high standards of performance and ethical conduct.
Cross-cultural sensitivity
Understanding and drawing upon cultural diversity with respect and empathy.
Responsible and ethical leadership
Professional responsibility and accountability in relation to society as a whole.
SCHOOL LIST
The 33 schools offering the CEMS MIM - a global alliance of leading business schools
Aalto University School of Business
Country: Finland
City: Espoo
Bocconi University
Country: Italy
City: Milan
Copenhagen Business School
Country: Denmark
City: Frederiksberg
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Country: United States
City: Ithaca
Corvinus University of Budapest
Country: Hungary
City: Budapest
ESADE Business School
Country: Spain
City: Sant Cugat del Valles
Escola de Adminstracao de Empresas de Sao Paulo - FGV
Country: Brazil
City: Sao Paulo
Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg University
Country: Russia
City: St. Petersburg
HEC Paris
Country: France
City: Jouy-en-Josas
HKUST Business School
Country: Hong Kong S.A.R, China
City: Hong Kong
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Country: India
City: Kolkata
Ivey Business School
Country: Canada
City: London
Keio University
Country: Japan
City: Tokyo
Koc University Graduate School of Business
Country: Turkey
City: Istanbul
Korea University Business School
Country: Republic of Korea (South)
City: Seoul
Louvain School of Management
Country: Belgium
City: Louvain-La-Neuve
National University of Singapore
Country: Singapore
City: Singapore
Norwegian School of Economics
Country: Norway
City: Bergen
Nova School of Business and Economics
Country: Portugal
City: Carcavelos
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Country: The Netherlands
City: Rotterdam
SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Country: Poland
City: Warsaw
Stockholm School of Economics
Country: Sweden
City: Stockholm
The American University in Cairo School of Business
Country: Egypt
City: New Cairo
The London School of Economics and Political Science
Country: United Kingdom
City: London
The University of Sydney Business School
Country: Australia
City: Sydney
Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management
Country: China
City: Beijing
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
Country: Ireland
City: Dublin
Universidad Adolfo Ibanez
Country: Chile
City: Santiago
University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business
Country: South Africa
City: Cape Town
University of Cologne
Country: Germany
City: Cologne
University of Economics, Prague
Country: Czech Republic
City: Prague
University of St. Gallen
Country: Switzerland
City: St. Gallen
WU (Vienna University of Economics & Business)
Country: Austria
City: Wien
CURRICULUM OF THE CEMS MIM
Combination of academic theory with business practice
The CEMS MIM has a total workload of 66 ECTS and students are required to complete a minimum of 24 ECTS each term. One of the terms (term 1 or 2) is usually completed at the CEMS home school while the other term is completed at the CEMS host school. CEMS students spend at least one semester abroad at a business school belonging to the CEMS network. The allocation to the CEMS host school is usually based on the admissions ranking of the candidate which is based on intellectual potential & knowledge, attitude & soft skills and global orientation. The third term is an international internship that students complete outside of their home country (usually 8 weeks long but exceptions exist based on the CEMS home school's requirements). In the next section I will explore the components of the CEMS MIM a bit further.
COMPONENTS OF THE CURRICULUM
Block Seminars, Skills Seminars, Global Strategy course, Responsible Global Leadership Seminar, Global Management Practice course, Business Project and International Internship
BLOCK SEMINAR - TERM 1
The Block Seminar is a one-week course that takes place at the beginning of Term 1. Block Seminars bring together professors and students from various CEMS institutions. Subjects derive from different cultural and academic perspectives; many topics are not part of the universities' standard curricula. I for instance had my Block Seminar on the 'Future of Business' where we discussed the six megatrends that Sydney Business Insights identified: Impactful technology, evolving communities, rapid urbanisation, empowering individuals, economic power shift and resource security. Based on these trends we tried to forecast potential scenarios in the future and how they might impact businesses. The Block Seminar laid the perfect foundation for me to commence with the CEMS MIM.
SKILLS SEMINARS - TERM 1 & 2
Skill Seminars are training seminars in practical skills. Skill Seminars are offered by the CEMS member schools, very often in close cooperation with companies. Topics for Skill Seminars include:
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Business Communication
Strategy skills
Personal development
Consulting skills
Marketing tools
Group work abilities
Negotiation techniques
Career development
Presentation skills
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CEMS students must attend four Skill Seminar days in total (1 day = 8 hours = 0.5 ECTS). I like the Skill Seminars as they provide hands-on training and complement the academic input.
GLOBAL STRATEGY COURSE - TERM 1
The Strategy course is built around four broad strategic questions facing international business managers:
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Whether to diversify the organisation's activities across different countries and/or regions?
Where should the organisation compete?
What form(s) should the organisation's international business activities take?
When should the organisation enter or exit a given geographic market?
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My strategy course had a strong emphasis on the application of theory: We for instance analysed the global value chain activities of Ecco (see picture).
RESPONSIBLE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR - TERM 2
The Global Citizenship Seminar is a two-day course, and takes place at the beginning of Term 2. The course brings together representatives from Corporate and/or Social Partners, professors and students, for an experiential learning experience. Within the seminar, students will have the opportunity to engage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through experiential learning (see picture).
GLOBAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICE COURSE - TERM 2
The Global Management Practice course aims at supporting participants in gaining a thorough and deep understanding of key leadership concepts and principles and at enabling the development of their leadership skills for enhanced impact. The course wants to be a valuable resources for increasing students' ability to give valuable contributions to the organisations they will be working at. One of the main takeaways for me is that leadership is a lifelong learning process and the worst that leaders can do is to stop growing.
BUSINESS PROJECT - TERM 2
The Business Project accounts for 15 ECTS and is carried out during term 2. Business projects reinforce the partnership between universities and companies in jointly shaping the students‘ learning process in international management. They are consultancy-like projects designed as a real-life learning experience for students. Student teams work independently and are co-tutored by academic and corporate representatives. I have for instance my business project together with L‘Oreal where we need to come up with a new product launch plan for their Blond Absolu product line in the Italian market.
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP
Internships can take place at a CEMS Corporate Partner, although not on a compulsory basis. They can also take place at a non-profit organisation such as in a humanitarian mission. Students are responsible for finding their own internship. The internship usually lasts for a minimum of 8 weeks.
MY CEMS MIM EXPERIENCE
Around the world:Â From Germany to Australia to Italy
My experience with the CEMS MIM has been a very positive one so far. You can read about my experience of studying at the University of Sydney (my CEMS home school) here. I will also talk a bit about my experience of studying at Bocconi University (my CEMS host school) below.
BOCCONI UNIVERSITY
Milan, Italy
Bocconi University is consistently ranked as the top university in Italy in its fields, and as one of the best in the world in economics, finance and management. The university is well-known for its finance and fashion-related courses.The location of the university in Milan as the fashion capital of Italy is particularly appealing to students who want to benefit from the close links of the university to luxury and fashion companies. I for instance mainly chose Bocconi University, because I am interested in the fashion industry and wanted to learn more about this industry. In this regard my expectations were definitely fulfilled at Bocconi University. Most courses at Bocconi University include group projects highlighting the strong practical aspect of the university (I found the teaching very hands-on). The workload is as probably expected high and should not be underestimated. However, the two exam sessions in the end enable you to select the time slot that best suits your calendar and personal commitments.
