Three-week intensive business course held in association with ADEC and global corporations
INSEAD, the leading international business school, and Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) celebrated the successful graduation of 45 international high school students representing 10 nationalities — including 25 Emirati nationals - from Summer@INSEAD, an intensive management course at INSEAD's Europe Campus in Fontainebleau, France.
The inaugural programme, which ran from 2-20 August 2015, exposed selected high-achieving students to a holistic curriculum incorporating business skills, knowledge and culture. Developed by INSEAD, a pioneer of international business education since 1957, in cooperation with ADEC, Summer@INSEAD was specifically designed to equip students with skills needed to transform their communities in the UAE.
On this occasion, HE Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council, said: “Summer@INSEAD, which is the first initiative of its kind for outstanding students, reflects the unique strategic partnership between ADEC and INSEAD business school”. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi added: “The programme is one of ADEC’s endeavours designed to equip our youth with the skills necessary for them to be tomorrow’s leaders. It is an excellent opportunity for our students, who not only gain the fundamental skills in business and entrepreneurship through a hands-on approach, but are also exposed to a completely new culture and heritage. This new and exciting learning experience definitely adds value to our students, of whom we are very proud, as a result of their outstanding performance in school.”
Dr. Al Qubaisi added, "We are committed to providing our students with the best learning opportunities in the world's most known educational institutions, such as INSEAD. It provides proof of ADEC's efforts to help students gain the 21st century skills in entrepreneurship, communications and keep pace with rapid scientific and technological transformations taking place around the world.
“Our students have great potential to continue their achievements and creative contributions to support the development of the country, and transfer their successful experience to their colleagues. ADEC will continue to provide all means of support for their ideas and plans, and against any challenges that they may face in the future, encouraging the students to innovate, experiment and share their creativity.”
Highlights from the initiative included: visits to iconic French landmarks such as Louis Vuitton, Galeries Lafayette, the Google Cultural Institute and Michel et Augustin; meetings with H.E. Maadhad Hareb Mughair Al Khaili, the UAE Ambassador to France and his team at the UAE Embassy in Paris; and tours of the Palace of Versailles and The Louvre museum. The course modules, which included theory and practical experience, touched on development and progress, entrepreneurship strategy, decision-making, organisational behaviour, marketing, and team building activities.
“These kinds of experiences are crucial to the overall development of the participating students,” His Excellency Khaili said. “The students are already speaking about establishing their own businesses and contributing to the economic growth of our nation through the spirit of entrepreneurship and international awareness. I hope they pursue further studies in management education and follow successful business careers in the future.”
Peter B. Zemsky, Deputy Dean of INSEAD commented, “We are delighted to have worked with ADEC on this initiative and to provide students from across the globe with the opportunity to see first-hand how businesses operate in concert with INSEAD’s world-class faculty and wide partner-network. The very positive feedback we have received from the ADEC students and the international participants, as well as from faculty, is very encouraging and lays the ground for further cooperation and innovation.”
Commenting on her experience at the INSEAD Europe campus in Fontainebleau, Olivia Serhan, 15, from Quebec, Canada, noted, “These 18 days at Summer@INSEAD have been one of the most unique and unforgettable moments of my life. I’ve created long-lasting bonds with people from different corners of around the world. This programme has allowed me to learn in a completely different way than I do in school. I was able to apply my critical opinion in class, as well as think outside the box thanks to the many professors that I have had the chance to learn from.”
Khalifa Omar, 15, from Abu Dhabi, added, “Summer@INSEAD has been empowering on many levels. It was an enlightening experience. I learned to follow my own judgment and to be open to new ideas.”
The graduation ceremony at the school’s Europe campus in Fontainebleau was opened by Peter Zemsky, Deputy Dean, the Eli Lilly Chaired Professor of Strategy and Innovation, INSEAD. Following the speech of H.E. Dr. Amal Al-Qubaisi, First Deputy Speaker of the Federal National Council and Director General at ADEC, the students presented projects developed over the course of the programme. Also in attendance were Mr. Frédéric Valletoux, Mayor of Fontainebleau, Mr. Claude Janssen, Founder and honorary Chairman of INSEAD Board and Chairman of the International Council, and his wife, Mrs. Tuulikki Janssen. Certificates of completion were presented to the students before the proceedings were closed by Claude Janssen.
