Ranked first in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2024: Latin America, EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey has built a globally recognised reputation as the leading Latin American institution in business education.
A member of an elite group of business schools with the coveted “triple crown” of global accreditation according to the American Association of Colleges and Schools (AACSB), Association of MBA’S (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) – the Mexican school has a proven track record for developing innovative online MBA programmes that offer students the flexibility to study at their own pace while providing the necessary tools and resources to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
National Director of Full-time Programs at the institution, Dr Eduardo Enrique Aguiñaga Maldonado tells us about their pioneering MBA programme as well as the student needs the school has learned to address over the years.
“Full-time students between 28-35 years old mostly come from Central and South America (around 80%).“
When it comes to EGADE’s student population – European students accounted for 30% of their enrolment. Today, and particularly, post-COVID, “full-time students between 28-35 years old mostly come from Central and South America (around 80%).” Indicating a dramatic shift, Dr Aguiñaga says that Europe now makes up no more than 15% of the student body.
“Students tell us that they’re planning to grow within the company that they’re working for and in the industry.”
Adapting to student needs by transforming traditional narratives
“Students tell us that they’re planning to grow within the company that they’re working for and in the industry.” Because of this, EGADE strives to ensure that course materials are accessible with the shortest possible timeframe.
Dr Aguiñaga explains the school’s innovative approach to staying relevant and visible to prospective international students via their one-year MBA programme.
“We focus on immersion and experience-led learning within this one year – with the provision of different types of experiences and approaches like traveling abroad to the Global Network Week. We also arrange for students to go abroad to Finland, Silicon Valley and so on. So, we focus on increasing their personal skills. In addition, students gain competencies like leadership, negotiation, and self-discovery, because they’re still very young.
“It’s really intensive and I would even dare to say that it’s transformative for them – it’s also really a life changing experience for them.”
“Up to 70% of our foreign students want to stay in Mexico because they want to learn more about Latin American business and our ecosystem.“
Mexico’s student population is diverse – What are their plans after completing their studies?
“Up to 70% of our foreign students want to stay in Mexico because they want to learn more about Latin American business and our ecosystem. The European students that do join EGADE, Dr Aguiñaga explains, “These students are interested in growing their knowledge in Latin America business”.
“I think this is a value added of the programme – it prepares them if they decide to stay in Mexico. We have a Career Services Department, which walks them through the whole process of getting hired within their chosen industry or their companies.
EGADE’s curriculum aims to update the reskilling of their programmes frequently by “focusing on what the industry is asking from the alumni of these types of programmes.”
The overall process was described as “quite tough due to a fierce landscape, but I think our students have been very well positioned in the industries and companies they’re aiming towards.”
The future of MBA education
Despite the increased interest in online studies, Dr Aguiñaga mentions that: “students are more focused on experiences besides just the content of the MBA and these programmes will continue to have more and more students like this with a desire for an in-person format. I also think it will be available online, covering fundamental topics such as sustainability.
“Right now, we are looking at it as a must have topic and regarding the AI revolution. So technologies will continue to influence the landscape of our course content.”