In recent years, UNAI member institution has progressively incorporated sustainability topics into its MBA core courses, and this process is now complete. By embedding sustainability into all 14 core courses and introducing a mandatory 3-day real-life business simulation capstone, the offers a high-impact environment to facilitate discussions and cultivate responsible leaders. Sustainability in business has been redefined by integrating of social and environmental issues into all business decisions.
The refreshed MBA curriculum was rolled out in January 2024 and is among recent initiatives to reinforce the school’s mission of bringing together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. The objective of this refreshed curriculum is to equip future leaders with a comprehensive business foundation and the necessary skills to integrate social and environmental issues into business decisions.
, Dean of Degree Programmes said of the initiative: "As educators and scholars, we need to be aware not only of the current global risks such as societal polarization, climate crisis, misinformation, but also the demands of our students, and the state of the market in order to respond effectively. Here at INSEAD we position ourselves as a leader in business education. One of the reasons we have remained at the top, aside from producing top-tier research, is our close connection to the business world. INSEAD not only responds to trends but also strives to set them by staying attuned to global developments."
The curriculum review process was extensive, involving a school-wide consultation with faculty. Leading this initiative was a dedicated committee including INSEAD professors , , , , (Chair). The project was managed by Associate Director .
"For many years,” said Stabile, “we have researched topics related to social and environmental sustainability—such as climate finance, circular economy, impact entrepreneurship, wealth inequality, gender equality, and more. Integrating these subjects into the MBA curriculum was both a logical and urgent step. A large team of faculty and staff was involved in this process, and we are all quite pleased with the results. We continue to work hard to equip our students with the skills they will need in their future careers.”
The new sustainability-focused capstone is 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 integrating sustainability into all aspects of management including operations, strategy, accounting, finance and marketing.
Students can further tailor the programme to suit their individual interest, choosing from 20 out of 75 elective courses focused on sustainability across nine different academic areas. The most recent electives run include , and . New electives will be added every six months to support learning of the latest business practices.
Petra Janney, MBA’24D stated: “INSEAD has recognised a key opportunity to differentiate its MBA program with a new commitment to sustainable business, which initially drew me to the school. I have seen first-hand the tension between those prioritising the future, and those mired in the past. As the Co-President of the Environment & Business Club, I’m grateful to be working with INSEAD’s Hoffmann Institute on new initiatives to mentor and support climate entrepreneurs across the school’s global network.”
The renewed MBA curriculum meets the increasing demand for sustainability-focused leaders in the job market. Students are equipped as future business leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to manage sustainability risks and opportunities in business and to achieve both performance and progress. The new curriculum inspires these future leaders to champion creative sustainable solution that address global challenges.
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