Given an increasingly interconnected world, strategic alliances have become essential in the education sector. In addition to contributing to improving academic quality, accelerating innovation and opening doors to the international mobility of students, professors and researchers, these collaborations between universities or teaching centers also allow access to new resources. All this translates into «a more complete and aligned training with the needs of the labor market,» says Joan Rodon, dean of ESADE Business School. The benefit of these networks is crucial. «The business world is increasingly complex and the geopolitical variable has earned a priority position on the agenda of companies. In the preparation of current and future global managers, this exhibition is capital to be able to operate successfully in that changing and ambiguous environment. The alliances make us possible to reach the world of other recognized institutions that share that challenge with us,» says Jordi Díaz Díaz, Jordi School. In concrete, collaboration between universities and business schools allows students to access immersion programs in social entities, opt for double degrees and come into contact with other students of students, thus expanding their professional networks. From the institutional point of view, strategic alliances give prestige encourage methodological innovation and the development of joint programs. In addition, «they promote the exchange of good practices and continuous improvement,» says Carles Cascante, Vice Dean of Postgraduate and International Relations of EAE Business School.
In good company
These alliances can occur directly between educational institutions or through the umbrella of an international association or network. In the case of business schools, among the best known are CEMS (The Global Alliance in Management Education), which promotes excellence in business management training; Themis (The Joint Certificate in International and Business Law), which drives training in international and business law; Ecol (European Common Online Learning), which advocates online education, or Pim (Partnership in International Management), an international strategic alliance of business schools around the world. More information “In general, schools are looking for strategic partners with which they can establish deep collaborations. They do not always look for similar institutions, but those that offer something different. If you want to achieve your objectives And close. This organization – founded in 1973 and that could only be accessed by invitation – groups almost 70 business schools of more than thirty countries, many of which appear in important academic rankings. Through PIM, members can easily find partners to launch exchanges of students or teachers, create double degree programs or develop interuniversity research projects. One of the members of PIM is ESADE. But this business school based in Madrid and Barcelona is also part of other organizations such as CEMS, Themis or Ecol, and has a global network of more 267 associated centers in more than a hundred countries. «Strategic alliances represent a key competitive advantage,» affects its dean, who also points out that ESADE collaborates with more than a dozen international associations to «boost research and innovation in business education.» Among these, he quotes EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development), GBSN (Global Business School Network) or IAJBS (International Association of Jesuit Business Schools) .A The IAJBS also belongs to the University of Deusto, whose business school plays an essential role in the international strategy of the institution. This network «connects us with universities from other countries and allows us to enhance an education focused on humanistic values such as social justice,» explains Javier Arellano, Vice Chancellor for International Relations of Deusto. EAE's vice -dean of Postgraduate and International Relations – which is part of EFMD, PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) or Cladea (Latin American Council of Administration Schools) – Highlights another benefit of alliances: “By being connected with international institutions and companies, schools have the ability to stay at the forefront of global trends”.
Networks that transcend academic
Strengthening international networks is a key issue for the future of higher education, says Javier Arellano, from the University of Deusto. However, it points out that these alliances are not limited only to the university field, but are increasingly common with companies, public administrations and civil society actors. «This is essential, he argues, to be able to respond to the demands of society.»
Carles Cascante, by EAE Business School. At the national level, this academic institution has established agreements with spaces such as Tech Barcelona, Barcelona Finance Hub or Mobile World Capital, with the objective of «enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship,» he explains.
For its part, ESADE Business School has created bridges with entities such as Barcelona Supercomputing Center for the purpose of promoting research in artificial intelligence and Big Data, says its dean, Joan Rodon. «These agreements allow to design executive training programs adapted to the needs of the market. They promote applied research in key areas. In addition, they facilitate the employability of students, providing access to professional development opportunities in reference companies,» he says.