Meet INSEAD’s MBA Class Of 2024

SUSTAINABILITY COMES FRONT-AND-CENTER

Certainly, it has been a newsworthy year at INSEAD. For one, INSEAD ranked 2nd in The Financial Times Global MBA Ranking in 2023 (after ranking 1st in 2021). That included Top 10 scores for ESG, Faculty Research, International Course Experience, and International Mobility. In May, INSEAD announced that it would be revamping its curriculum to more deeply incorporate sustainability in its 14 core courses. The move, says former Dean Ilian Mihov, helps INSEAD align with its mission to be a force for good. Even more, it helps the school stay relevant with students and employers who are clamoring for greater understanding in sustainability-related concepts – and the opportunities inherent to the field.

“What we’ve heard from businesses is that they will still come to INSEAD to hire general managers. And those general managers, from a vocabulary and a knowledge point of view, need to be able to address sustainability challenges,” explains Urs Peyer, INSEAD Dean of Degree Programmes, in a 2023 interview with Poets&Quants. “They are very different across different industries and across different geographies. That’s why we decided to give people a holistic point of view as a mandatory part of the curriculum, and then let them specialize through electives for what they’re planning to contribute in the future.”

The change has resonated with MBA students like Daniel Tuan Anh Hoang. “I am excited about the courses INSEAD offers on Social Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Investing for Impact, and Business Sustainability Thinking. I feel that they truly reflect the school’s belief in the role of business as a force to improve people’s lives…I look forward to deepening my knowledge in these areas and connecting with other future leaders who aspire to grow businesses for good.”

A 10-MONTH SPRINT

Another popular aspect of the INSEAD MBA is its 10-month format. By completing their MBA in half the time of a normal program, they can save money in tuition and living costs. It also translates to less debt and a quicker return to their career path.

“INSEAD’s accelerated program [provides] me with a globally recognized qualification from one of the world’s leading business schools, while only requiring me to take one year out of full-time work,” says Catherine Dimitroff.

Even more, the 10-month hitch is purposely designed – like diversity – to simulate the realities of being a global manager. At INSEAD, MBAs enjoy a wide range of opportunities, but must ruthlessly prioritize to stay on pace and maximize their MBA experience.

“I was surprised to learn how intense and fast-paced the program is,” adds ’23 alum Albert Kweku. “The INSEAD MBA program is like a whirlwind of knowledge and activity, where you’re constantly bombarded with new information and experiences at lightning speed. Despite the intensity, it’s also incredibly rewarding, and I’ve learned a lot in a short time.”

And time flies by too, adds Susana Jaramillo, who graduated alongside Kweku. “Enjoy every second of every day (regardless of the daily stress associated with exams, academics, recruitment… etc.). Remember this year will never come back, and every second and every experience counts!”

A NEW DEAN TAKES THE REINS

Another popular aspect of INSEAD Is its Career Development Center (CDC). In the recruiting process, Mark Jordan had heard “glowing reviews” about its career coaching and interview prep, not to mention its deep connections at top consulting firms. Thus far, adds Deema Bin Homed, the program has lived up to its reputation, particularly in personal and career development.

“INSEAD’s commitment to nurturing resilient leaders is evident in its tailored career development initiatives designed to prepare us for future career growth. This involves a thorough understanding of our strengths, weaknesses, competencies, obstacles, and aspirations. By providing fresh perspectives and opportunities for skill enhancement, INSEAD profoundly shapes our personal and leadership growth.”

This year also represents the end of an era at INSEAD. After ten years as school dean, Ilian Mihov stepped aside in September, replaced by Francisco Veloso, the former dean of Imperial College Business School and the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics. During his tenure, Mihov ranked among the most successful business school deans. He expanded the school’s footprint, adding campuses in Abu Dhabi and San Francisco, while renovating and expanding its flagship campuses in Fontainebleau and Singapore. Along with expanding the program’s offerings in entrepreneurship and sustainability, he also added a new Master’s in Management degree and the Hoffman Global Institute for Business and Society.

AN INTERVIEW WITH URS PEYER

In August, P&Q reached out to Urs Peyer, Dean of Degree Programmes and Professor of Finance at INSEAD. Here are his thoughts on new developments, sustainability, leadership training, and STEM programming at INSEAD.

P&Q: What have been the two most important developments in your MBA program over the past year? What type of impact will they have on current and future MBAs?

Peyer: “This year, the most important development at INSEAD is that the school has renewed its MBA curriculum, embedding sustainability into all its 14 core courses and introducing a mandatory capstone challenging students to integrate sustainability learnings across all management areas.

INSEAD prides itself on continuous innovation. By strengthening its flagship programme’s focus on sustainability, INSEAD once again leads the way in sustainable and socially responsible business education. The renewed MBA curriculum meets the increasing demand for sustainability-focused leaders in the job market. It equips future business leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to manage sustainability risks and opportunities in business, enabling them to make better decisions and integrate performance and progress. It also inspires them to champion creative sustainable solution that address global challenges.

The renewed curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools so that they can make the right choices and have their own positive impact during their careers. When they make and create solution for a business, they will take into account the social and environmental impact. When they lead a business and appreciate the financial performance, they also keep in mind progress.”

Press Release: The refreshed MBA curriculum is scheduled to be rolled out from September 2023

P&Q: This year, we have also unveiled a 10-year campus re-imagination masterplan, aiming to transform our historic Europe campus in Fontainebleau into a model of teaching excellence, sustainability and well-being.

Peyer: “The new design brings fresh thinking to all the core elements of today’s management education: group collaboration, informal exchange, ubiquitous use of digital technologies, and intense classroom discussion and debate. Even as it leverages the power of modern technology, the primary focus will be on the enduring human experience, critically important in an increasingly digital era. The architecture gives preference to fostering human connection, reflection and exchanges that will spark new ideas and lifelong friendships.

The masterplan coherently brings together strategy, heritage, people, and the place; promoting human, as well as planetary wellbeing, establishing spaces which facilitate a vibrant intellectual environment. As a “Force for Good” institution, that will be judged on its contributions to fighting climate change, INSEAD’s Europe Campus development is environmentally and financially sustainable, leveraging and integrating the unique setting of the Fontainebleau Forest.”

Press Release: INSEAD unveils ten-year campus re-imagination masterplan

P&Q: Give us your one-minute pitch for your business school. What makes you unique?

Peyer: “With three campuses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East and an integrated facility in North America; and over 75+ nationalities in one typical cohort – no other business school offers such a multicultural experience. At INSEAD, everyone is a minority. With no dominant nationality in the class, you will be exposed to a world of new perspectives.

Through an increased focus on sustainability, the INSEAD MBA offers a high impact environment to facilitate discussions and cultivate responsible leaders that drive business as a force for good.

Our relevant and rigorous pedagogy and research is backed by world-class faculty with a wealth of experience and talent. These leading professors in their field and areas of expertise creates top-notch programmes and cutting-edge research that influences businesses around the world.

Our MBA graduates also form bonds during the programme that often translate to lifelong friendships and business opportunities. Graduates will join the INSEAD family of over 66,000+ influential alumni in more than 180 countries.”

P&Q: Sustainability has emerged as a major attraction to prospective MBA students. How does your full-time MBA program integrate sustainability across its curriculum?

Peyer: “As elaborated in Q1, the renewed MBA curriculum will embed sustainability into all its 14 core courses and introducing a mandatory capstone challenging students to integrate sustainability learnings across all management areas.

In recent years, INSEAD has been increasingly incorporating sustainability topics into its core courses. This process is now complete – by redefining sustainability in business as integration of social and environmental issues into business decisions; and embedding a learning objective related to sustainability in all of its MBA core courses.

Students can further tailor the programme to suit their individual interest, choosing from a wide selection of over 75 elective courses across nine different academic areas. The most recent additions include Energy Transition Finance and Well Being at Work and Thoughtful Consumption. New electives will be added every six months to support learning of the latest business practices.

The new sustainability-focused capstone will be introduced during the last period of the students’ MBA journey and is designed to put theory into practice. Students will play roles of leaders of a company facing strategic challenges. In their analysis and decision making, they will practice to integrate sustainability into all aspects of management including operations, strategy, accounting, finance and marketing.

Sustainability is a global challenge that requires global solutions. With locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America, and over 80 different nationalities in the classroom, no other business school than INSEAD offers such a high impact environment to facilitate sustainability discussions and cultivate sustainability-focused leaders and entrepreneurs.”

Press Release: INSEAD’s renewed MBA curriculum leads the way in equipping future business leaders with skills to integrate social and environmental issues into business decisions

Next Page: 12 Student Profiles From the Class of 2024