emlyon becomes a Global Management & Tech University
After more than 150 years as a business school, emlyon is expanding its academic model to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. At its annual back-to-school press conference, Isabelle Huault, executive President & Dean of emlyon business school, announced a major new chapter in the School’s development: the launch of emlyon’s Global Management & Tech University model.
emlyon tech school: educating the next generation of leaders at the intersection of technology and management
This new model brings together three complementary schools: emlyon business school, emlyon tech school and emlyon london interdisciplinary school (LIS). It marks a shift from a traditional business school model towards a broader academic ecosystem designed to address the major economic, technological and societal transformations shaping the world today.
The transformation also reflects emlyon’s ambition to strengthen its international presence, with plans for a new campus in India through a partnership with MDI Gurgaon.
Technology is transforming every organisation and profession. In response, emlyon is launching emlyon tech school to educate a new generation of leaders who can understand technology, guide its development and integrate it into strategic decision-making, while taking economic, organisational, social and ethical considerations into account.
Building on emlyon’s established strengths in technology and the sciences
The launch of emlyon tech school builds on the School’s longstanding commitment to technology-related education and research.
emlyon already equips more than 1,000 students with the skills to understand and navigate technological change through its existing programmes and dual-degree partnerships with leading institutions, including Centrale Lyon, INSA Lyon, CentraleSupélec and Mines Saint-Étienne.
To support the development of emlyon tech school, the School is further strengthening its scientific expertise with the appointment of Yacine Rekik as Academic Dean of emlyon tech school.
A Professor of Decision Analytics at emlyon, Yacine Rekik holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Centrale Paris and has previously been an Associate Researcher at the University of Cambridge. His research spans artificial intelligence, decision analytics, operations and supply chain management, bringing together engineering, data science and management.
emlyon tech school will also expand its faculty, with several new appointments planned, particularly in applied mathematics. The School is developing partnerships with research laboratories, including DISP at INSA Lyon, which specialises in decision-support systems and research at the intersection of management and industrial engineering.
A strong corporate and alumni network at the heart of emlyon tech school
Close collaboration with industry will be central to the educational model of emlyon tech school.
The School is drawing on an established network of corporate partners, including Vinci, L’Oréal, Renault Trucks, Vicat, Thales, Engie, Mantu, Mc2i, Capgemini and OVHcloud. These companies will contribute to the development of the School’s programmes and help connect academic learning with real-world business and technology challenges.
emlyon is also building on the strength of its alumni network, particularly its presence in the technology sector, with the support of several prominent industry figures.
Jean-Pascal Tricoire, emlyon alumnus and Chairman of Schneider Electric, is the Founding Patron of emlyon tech school. A global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, Schneider Electric is at the forefront of the technological transition. Jean-Pascal Tricoire is one of the leading figures in France’s technology industry. Since graduating from emlyon business school, he has led Schneider Electric’s international expansion and championed a vision that combines innovation, business performance and sustainable development. emlyon is proud to have his support as Founding Patron of emlyon tech school.
Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, reshaping the way we work, innovate and make decisions. But technology itself is only part of the equation. What really matters is how we put it to use.
The leaders who will make a difference are those who can bridge the gap between technology and real-world challenges, combine business performance with sustainability, and turn innovation into tangible solutions that create value for customers and communities.
At Schneider Electric, we share emlyon tech school’s ambition to prepare the next generation of leaders to harness technology responsibly and drive meaningful, sustainable change. I am proud to support this ambition with emlyon tech school.
Emmanuel Marill, an emlyon alumnus and OpenAI’s Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will serve as Ambassador for the BSc in Tech & AI for Decision. Drawing on his experience at Airbnb and in senior roles at leading international technology companies, Emmanuel Marill brings extensive expertise in the digital economy and artificial intelligence. As Ambassador for the School’s inaugural programme, he will contribute his experience and support to the development of this new generation of technology-minded decision-makers.
LIS joins emlyon’s new academic model, bringing disciplines together to tackle global challenges
As part of the Global Management & Tech University, emlyon london interdisciplinary school (LIS) brings a distinctive academic approach to the European higher education landscape. Built around interdisciplinarity by design, LIS brings together the sciences, humanities, arts and social sciences to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society today.
The integration of LIS also marks a significant step forward in emlyon’s international development, with the establishment of a campus in London.
At a time of continuing geopolitical uncertainty, London will provide emlyon with a strategic European base, complementing its existing presence in Asia. The UK’s strong appeal as a destination for international students will create further opportunities for the School, while enabling it to deepen its existing academic partnerships with British universities, including University College London, and the University of Edinburgh etc.
The range of programmes offered at the London campus will expand progressively to include LIS programmes, dual-degree opportunities between emlyon business school and LIS, and programmes delivered by emlyon business school.
India takes centre stage in emlyon business school’s international expansion
With a presence in India spanning 15 years, emlyon is stepping up its commitment to the country through a strategic partnership with MDI Gurgaon, a triple-accredited institution recognised among India’s top 10 business schools.
The ambition is to establish an emlyon campus in Delhi, develop new dual-degree programmes combining technology and management, and bring emlyon tech school programmes to the Indian capital.
International students already account for nearly 40% of emlyon’s student population. By 2030, we aim to increase the proportion of international students among our incoming cohorts to 50%. This ambition goes beyond establishing new campuses in the UK and India. It also involves expanding our global academic network and opening offices in Africa, in Abidjan, and in Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City.
Student experience, critical Thinking and AI: preparing students to lead change
As a Mission-Driven Company since 2021, emlyon business school places the management of transitions at the heart of its academic strategy. Three key developments will further strengthen this commitment.
- Strengthening undergraduate education through critical thinking, reflection and AI : emlyon aims to place critical thinking, reflective practice and artificial intelligence at the heart of its programmes. This ambition is reflected in a redesigned Global BBA (GBBA) curriculum, with greater emphasis on project-based learning, internships and international experience, alongside the introduction of new courses such as Contemporary Issues. Within the Programme Grande École (PGE), the curriculum will also give greater prominence to geopolitics and the social sciences, broadening students’ understanding of the global forces shaping business and society.
- Expanding executive education with a new humanitarian leadership programme : The School is launching a new certificate programme, Humanitarian Leadership & Strategy, in partnership with Bioforce, a leading institution in humanitarian training and education. The programme will strengthen emlyon’s executive education offering by addressing the leadership and strategic challenges facing professionals working in the humanitarian sector.
- Contributing to the legacy of the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps As preparations for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps gather momentum, emlyon is contributing to wider discussions on innovation, regional transformation and emerging business models in sport, tourism and the events industry. The School will establish an Alpes 2030 Observatory, bring together public- and private-sector stakeholders, and engage students through dedicated projects and student-led initiatives. The objective is to contribute to the Games’ long-term legacy while exploring opportunities for sustainable development and innovation across Alpine communities.
emlyon’s strategy, launched through our Résonances strategic plan, is grounded in a fundamental conviction: today’s major challenges must be addressed through a holistic and international perspective. By bringing together emlyon business school, emlyon tech school and emlyon london interdisciplinary school, while strengthening our presence in India, we are creating the conditions to educate informed, engaged individuals who can take effective action to drive fair and sustainable transformation.