With increasing resources pointed toward research and a new doctoral programme, INSEAD entered the 1990s as a fully-fledged management institution.
The mix of consulting, research and teaching produced successes – confirmation that pushing on all three fronts produced a vital synergy.
The early 1990s were also marked by geopolitical upheaval. The fall of the Berlin Wall shifted the balance of power and opened opportunity in Europe, while the Gulf War plunged much of the world into recession even as economies in Asia opened.
INSEAD weathered the storm by focusing on core academics – teaching and research – and looked to define itself in a new era of global markets. This international approach became more apparent in 1991, when INSEAD stopped using the full formal name Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires.
This implied that INSEAD was no longer content to be defined as a European business school, the signal sent at a time when the world was embracing globalisation.
Following the first PhD graduation in 1994, the first six INSEAD graduates of the doctoral programme joined top schools. The programme saw early success due to high-quality doctoral candidates and attentive faculty. Even today, INSEAD awards PhD degrees to a small number of academics who are committed to pursuing relevant and timely research with big impact.
By 1994, INSEAD was the largest provider of executive education in Southeast Asia, with courses held in various facilities across the region. To truly go global, INSEAD had to produce knowledge and continue to make it relevant to businesses operating in an increasingly volatile and global marketplace. Such a strategy depended on staying close to business.
Executive education could better serve demand in Asia with a permanent physical presence. In 1998, the board voted unanimously to build an equal-status campus in Singapore and the school broke ground on the new campus the next year.
The decision to construct the Asia Campus in Singapore was in line with the pioneering spirit at INSEAD. The school continued to expand cultural diversity and continued to disrupt, innovate and dare to fail by taking risks. The Asia Campus in Singapore would usher in a new era for INSEAD.
1990
‘Enrichment through diversity’ adopted as official slogan
Ludo Van der Heyden (right) appointed Co-Dean alongside Claude Rameau, building on successful leadership of the fledgling PhD programme
The Doriot Library and Information Centre opens in Fontainebleau
1991
Inspired by the leaves of the forest surrounding our Europe Campus, green is introduced to the logo
1993
Antonio Borges (right) appointed Co-Dean alongside Ludo Van der Heyden, bringing experience as former INSEAD professor and Deputy Governor of the Bank of Portugal
Wall Street Journal ranks INSEAD #1 Advanced Management Programme for executive education
The 14 INSEAD National Councils merge to form the International Council
1994
First doctoral candidates graduate with exceptional placement in teaching positions at prestigious schools
INSEAD becomes the largest provider of executive education in Southeast Asia
1995
Launch of first Capital Campaign
During the 1990s, INSEAD graduations were held in the Théâtre Municipal de Fontainebleau
Co-Dean leadership ends, Antonio Borges takes over as Dean
1996
As Dean of INSEAD with a bold vision, Antonio Borges proposes that INSEAD build a full-service, equal-status campus in Asia
A familiar face at the reception desk in the Camembert, Joyce Allport welcomed students and visitors to the INSEAD campus from 1970 until she retired
When the weather is nice, group work moves outside on the edge of the forest
1998
Board unanimously approves creation of Asia Campus in Singapore
1999
INSEAD leadership joins local leaders for Asia Campus Groundbreaking Ceremony
First MBA intake of 53 pioneers from 25 countries convenes in Singapore before campus construction is complete and later moves onto new campus to finish their studies
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