Eduniversal Ranking: 6 Global Deans React

Isabelle Huault, executive director and dean, emlyon

Isabelle Huault, Executive President & Dean of emlyon business school

P&Q: What initiatives or strategic priorities over the past year do you believe most directly contributed to your school earning (or maintaining) the 5 Palmes of Excellence designation?

emlyon’s reputation for excellence among academic leaders worldwide reflects our unwavering commitment to academic rigour and global impact. Over the past year, we have strengthened our research performance, as evidenced by our positioning in international rankings such as Shanghai GRAS and QS by Subject. We have also expanded our faculty with new internationally recognized professors and our European label “HR excellence in research” reinforcing our academic leadership. Our triple accreditation (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA) remains a cornerstone of our quality assurance. These initiatives collectively enhance our reputation among peers and ensure that emlyon emlyon is a school built on solid and widely recognized foundations.

How has your school expanded or strengthened its global network, partnerships, or cross-border programs in ways that set it apart from regional peers?

emlyon is “in resonance” with the world and a player in French soft power, standing out through its robust international footprint and strategic alliances with world-class institutions. In 2025, we deepened partnerships with leading schools such as MIT Sloan and Bocconi and launched new double-degree programs with prestigious universities including University College London and King’s College London. Our 4 campus model spans France, China & India complemented by our presence in London and regional offices in Africa, enabling students to engage in truly global learning experiences. These initiatives not only broaden academic opportunities but also foster cross-cultural competencies that are critical in today’s interconnected economy.

As a school with 5 Palmes Emeritus, what does sustaining this level of distinction require year after year? How does the recognition shape your future planning, investment, and competitive positioning?

This recognition serves as a validation of our strategic plan “Resonance” with focus on internationalization, research leadership, and experiential learning, while guiding future investments in areas such as hybridization of programs and sustainability. To go further on our strategy, emlyon aims to combine the best of a business school and a tech school by launching new tech programs (AI, data science, quantum…) on our Paris campus. The School’s purpose remains our unique compass: “to train enlightened people who effectively change organizations to build a society that is fairer, shows solidarity for others and respects the planet.

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