ENGAGE.EU funding brings new podcast and workshop to life
Two NHH researchers were among the winning initiatives selected to receive Engage.EU seed funding to create platforms for knowledge exchange.
CEMS at NHH: A Global Passport to Leadership and Opportunity
“I wanted to combine my studies with international experiences. It was an easy choice,” said Martin Løkse Sand.
Løkse Sand is a recent CEMS and NHH graduate. During his CEMS studies he spent an exchange semester in Egypt and did an internship at the Norwegian Embassy in Mozambique. Through the embassy he learned about diplomacy and international relations, while at the American University in Cairo School of Business he was challenged to create a go-to market strategy for digital health tech initiatives.
“Getting pushed out of your comfort zone and adapting to an unknown environment is great. You meet so many interesting people with different perspectives on the world. I grew both professionally and personally,” explained Løkse Sand.
“My CEMS experience has also left me with a network of friends and personal and professional connections from all corners of the world, which is a great bonus,” he added.
Plays a vital role in shaping NHH
Løkse Sand is one of over 750 graduates who have received their CEMS degree in addition to their master’s degree from NHH since the school joined the alliance in 1992. In the same period, NHH has also hosted close to 600 incoming students from other CEMS schools for a semester.
“For more than 30 years this alliance has played a vital role in the internationalization, strategic direction and development of NHH,” said CEMS Academic Director, Jan I. Haaland.
“Through CEMS we collaborate closely with some of the best business schools in the world, which impacts everything from benchmarking of quality and relevance to international recognition and student recruitment,” he said.
Connects leading business
schools
The CEMS alliance has grown substantially since it was founded in 1988. In the beginning only the four founding Western European universities were members. Through the 90s and early 2000s it expanded across Europe.
Only in 2008 did the alliance get its first members from outside of Europe when universities in countries like Brazil, Australia and Singapore joined.
Today the alliance includes 33 schools across six continents. In the most recent Financial Times (FT) ranking, nine out of the top 20 schools are CEMS Academic Members. 3 CEMS schools are in the top ten. “It’s a vote of confidence in our quality and vision to stand alongside leading business schools from around the world, said NHH rector, Øystein Thøgersen. “Together we are shaping the future of international management,” he added.
Keeps the programme current
CEMS does not only consist of leading business schools, but also of over 70 highly recognized international corporate and social partners. “This is a key strength of the alliance. Through active involvement from corporate and social partners, CEMS students are given the opportunity to learn from, apply their knowledge to real-life cases and network with field experts and potential employers” said CEMS Corporate Relations Manager, Marie Van Beijeren.
Van Beijeren works at the Section for International Relations at NHH and has collaborated with CEMS corporate partners for years. “They help us keep the CEMS MIM programme relevant and up to date, thus ensuring that our students meet the future requirements and challenges of the international business world”, said van Beijeren.
CEMS facts and figures:
- A programme that offers two degrees in only two years
- Can be combined with any major profile at NHH
- Founded in 1988
- NHH became an Academic Member in 1992
- Comprises 33 schools across 6 continents
- Over 70 corporate partners and 9 social partners (NGOs)
- Over 20,000 alumni from 100+ countries, working in 75+ countries
Among the partners are businesses like Lufthansa Group, ABB, Equinor, McKinsey and Sanofi. They contribute to the programme through initiatives such as guest lectures, skill seminars and workshops, business projects and international internships.
Equips the leaders of tomorrow
Since NHH became a CEMS member Norunn Johanne Økland has worked closely with the CEMS alliance. As programme manager she watched both NHH and CEMS evolve and grow and helped conduct the CEMS vision that focuses on preparing responsible leaders for a more open, sustainable and inclusive world.
“Given the present geopolitical situation we live in, this mission is more relevant than ever before. Our world needs responsible business leaders who know how to navigate in our rapidly changing global environment,” she said. To ensure that CEMS prepares such leaders, they have recently developed a new candidate profile to meet future challenges.
Opens the door to international opportunities
The CEMS alumni profile is clear and confirms the international nature of the programme. 49 % of the alumni are currently working outside of their home country.
83 % have worked on average for five years in 2-3 different countries outside their home country. “CEMS has opened the door to the international market, and I am planning to pursue more international opportunities in the future,” said Sand who currently works for KPMG.
What advice would you give to students who are currently considering CEMS?
“Go for it! Just apply! It’s a fantastic way to see what’s out there and get to know great students and professors from around the world. You will still have the NHH experience, so this opportunity really is a two for one!” concludes Martin Løkse Sand.
Why do some firms perform digital transformation faster than others?
On Friday 6 December 2024 Lars Arvei Moen will hold a trial lecture on a prescribed topic and defend his thesis for the PhD degree at NHH.