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emlyon and mc2i: a partnership to train future consultants

  • Company news
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Updated on June 4, 2026

On May 27, emlyon business school and the consulting firm mc2i officially announced their partnership, starting a three-year strategic collaboration. The goal of this partnership is to better connect academic excellence with real business practices and the challenges of consulting.

At the core of this partnership is a shared ambition: to prepare students for consulting careers by developing practical skills they can use in companies.

A partnership rooted in consulting practice

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Partnership signing in Lyon between emlyon and MC2i

This partnership includes employer branding and recruitment actions, such as mc2i attending career fairs, industry events, and student meetings. However, it stands out because it is also integrated into emlyon’s teaching approach.

mc2i is directly involved in emlyon programs through:

  • Guest lectures in elective courses in the  Master in Management (Grande École Program), especially about consulting and data. Students can interact with professionals and ask questions about these careers.
  • Case studies based on real consulting projects, allowing students to apply their skills.
  • Coaching sessions and participation in project evaluations.

These activities help students understand consulting methods, challenges, and expectations. They also develop key skills such as analysis, problem structuring, and clear communication.

This partnership shows the strong link between emlyon and the important consulting sector. Through our work with mc2i, we confirm our commitment to preparing students for a field that is rapidly changing, especially due to major technological shifts.

Partnering with emlyon business school feels natural for mc2i because we share common values: excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, and a positive social impact. With the rise of artificial intelligence, companies and academic institutions must work together. Technology, new teaching methods, and responsible innovation will help us build the skills of the future. By connecting our two worlds, we give curious and motivated students a unique opportunity to grow. Their talent reflects the level of excellence we expect for our clients. We look forward to bringing these meaningful projects to life.

A focus on innovation 

The partnership also includes learning projects such as the InnovAction challenge. This program involves engineering students with a double degree in management in the Business Mediation track. 

Over several months, students work on innovation challenges submitted by the company. They use methods like design thinking and generative AI tools. The approach focuses on people and users, while also considering social and environmental issues. 

This format allows students to experience situations similar to real consulting projects. They learn how to build structured and well-argued solutions. For mc2i, this is also an opportunity to explore new ideas, gain fresh perspectives from students, and increase its attractiveness to future talent. 

A certification focused on consulting skills

As part of the partnership, mc2i will offer each year 20 students from the Master in Management the possibility to obtain the Agile PSPO (Professional Scrum Product Owner I) certification. This certification prepares them to become or grow as Product Owners in Scrum environments. It is widely recognized and valued in the job market.

A circular badge featuring the Scrum.org logo and the text “Professional Scrum Product Owner I – PSPO I” in green and gray on a white background.

This certification helps students to: 

  • Understand agile methods, which are widely used in consulting projects 
  • Learn how to manage a product in client environments 
  • Gain practical skills valued by consulting firms 

The program includes: 

  • 2 days of intensive training on the Lyon campus 
  • Practice tests 
  • An online certification exam within one month 

It complements academic learning by providing a concrete and useful skill, especially in digital consulting. 

Training future consultants 

By combining teaching activities, real project experience, and access to recognized certifications, this partnership strengthens the link between emlyon and mc2i. It also increases the company’s visibility and creates career opportunities for students. 

For emlyon, this partnership helps to: 

  • Strengthen its position in consulting education 
  • Align its courses with industry practices 
  • Offer more career-oriented training 

For students, it provides a better understanding of expectations in the consulting sector and helps them build targeted skills, making it easier to enter this field.