“The Cologne-Rotterdam EMBA combines an international focus with demanding business content and courses regarding soft skills, such as personal leadership development,” says Sara Brings, senior analyst reporting and BI at Deutsche Post DHL Group. “With all this, I think the programme provides all the content that helps forming an excellent leader. Receiving two degrees at the end of the studies from two renowned business schools will enable me to develop my future career.”
International leadership
The 24-month executive part-time MBA is based on the well-established Executive MBA at RSM, which is recognised for its truly international level of leadership and international exposure. “We look forward to the start of our very first and highly diverse Cologne-Rotterdam Executive MBA cohort. The programme offers an innovative, highly international and flexible learning experience,” says Prof. Ulrich Thonemann, managing director of the Business School of the University of Cologne.
Dean of RSM, Professor Steef van de Velde, adds: “I’m glad to see that participants appreciate the strengths of both institutions and locations. The excellent reputation and the international orientation of both schools will provide our students with new perspectives and ideas, enabling them to approach their future challenges in a more comprehensive way.”
Diversity
Of the new programme participants, 29 per cent is female and 38 per cent is international; the average age is 33; and the average work experience is 8 years. They come from various sectors such as consulting and professional services; chemical and pharmacy; logistics and supply chain; software; energy and utilities; financial services and insurances; health and medical science; manufacturing and construction; and engineering and law.
Innovation and management
“Challenges and exciting questions during my projects drew my interest to work at the interface between innovation and management,” says participant Alexander Holbach, research engineer at BASF. “I would like to combine administration and strategy development more deeply with my technical background. The Executive MBA programme will improve my management skills and open my mind for new ideas.”
Learnings and discussions
“There are two core expectations I have from the programme”, says participant Miriam Schmid, Associate Clinical Program Director at UCB Biosciences GmbH. “Firstly it is to learn about current business management and leadership concepts, and secondly I am looking forward to new impulses and insights from conversations and discussions with my fellow students and the faculty. The Cologne-Rotterdam EMBA ensures a high academic standard, with two well-known, established universities providing the programme. In addition, the schedule and the geographic proximity allow me to attend this programme beside my busy and demanding job.”
Unique programme and network
The Cologne-Rotterdam Executive MBA programme prepares leaders from any business or industry background for senior management challenges and responsibilities, in local and international business arenas. The format involves studying every other weekend, and fits around the lifestyles of executives without interrupting their day-to-day work. The MBA is highly selective, so participants will become part of a unique network of globally-orientated managers. Teaching and visiting faculty are among the top academics in the world and will present the latest scientific research in a way that is designed for practical application in business during the academically rigorous programme.
