ESSCA School of Management’s MOOC Creative Box obtains EOCCS re-certification
We are delighted to announce that the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Creative Box course offered by the ESSCA School of Management, France, has been awarded EOCCS re-certification.
The EOCCS review team identified several positive aspects in ESSCA’s MOOC Creative Box course that contributed to its successful re-accreditation. The course was noted for its alignment with ESSCA’s strategic objectives, which emphasise digital innovation and skills development. The panel found that the Creative Box course integrates well with the institution’s goals of providing a hybrid, interdisciplinary learning experience, further enhanced by ESSCA’s digital strategy and the involvement of the Online Campus.
Acknowledging the institution’s achievement, Keith Pond, EOCCS Director, commented:
“ESSCA School of Management’s re-certification of the MOOC Creative Box by EOCCS underscores their commitment to high-quality, accessible online education. ESSCA’s innovative approach, combining academic rigour with industry insights, and its dedication to supporting diverse, global learners through continuous improvement, set an inspiring standard for online learning in the business education sector.”
ESSCA School of Management
Founded in 1909, ESSCA School of Management is a leading French Grande École with over 6,000 students enrolled across its 10 campuses in France and internationally. Known for its emphasis on ethical and socially responsible management education, ESSCA holds prestigious triple accreditation, including EQUIS, and offers a range of undergraduate, master’s, and executive programmes. The school’s curriculum, combining academic rigour with hands-on experience, attracts a global student body from more than 60 countries, aiming to develop responsible leaders equipped for today’s interconnected, technology-driven business landscape.
ESSCA hosts students from over 80 nationalities, contributing to a diverse learning environment. More than 50% of recent graduates secure positions with an international focus shortly after graduation. The school maintains a network of partner universities in 54 countries, promoting academic collaboration, and has established over 20 international double-degree agreements with leading institutions. Approximately 70% of faculty and research members are international, representing over 40 nationalities. Additionally, ESSCA has an alumni network that spans more than 100 countries.
The MOOC Creative Box course
The MOOC Creative Box is a free four-week online course open to everyone with the main objective of developing the creativity of its participants by offering them the opportunity to develop their own innovative ideas. A very large part of the audience is composed of entrepreneurs, employees with a startup project in mind or even people in professional reconversion. The MOOC offers them a unique path where they can refine and develop their innovative idea and even confront it to the market.
The MOOC Creative Box course content received strong praise for its quality, relevance, and structure. Designed as an introduction to business innovation, the course leverages practical and theoretical elements to stimulate student engagement. The panel highlighted the course’s diverse industry interviews, which provide real-world insights, helping learners connect academic concepts with industry practices. This balance of academic content and industry perspectives enriches the learning experience and broadens students’ understanding of innovation and creativity.
The review panel also acknowledged ESSCA’s commitment to accessibility and flexibility. The course is offered in both English and French, allowing a wide international audience to participate. Its design, using the Canvas learning platform, includes accessibility features and a user-friendly layout that supports self-paced learning, which is particularly valuable for a diverse cohort of learners.
Additionally, the implementation of an e-tutor role was recognised as a beneficial enhancement. The e-tutor provides administrative and technical support, helping students stay engaged and progress through the course. This role was introduced following recommendations from the 2021 review and has contributed to reducing dropout rates, particularly by offering timely assistance and reminders. The peer review process within the course, required for completion, also adds a collaborative dimension and allows students to benefit from diverse feedback.
The Creative Box course was also commended for maintaining consistent quality across multiple iterations while incorporating updates based on learner feedback. Its role in promoting lifelong learning and its recognition in the broader community, including rankings among top French MOOCs, further reflect its positive impact and contribution to ESSCA’s strategic objectives.
The MOOC Creative Box course was named Best MOOC designed by a university or school and received the Teaser of the Year award by a jury of industry experts, human resources managers and Internet users. The awards were presented by My Mooc, Le Journal du Net (JDN) and Google France.
Upon receiving the award, Prof. Orsolya SADIK-ROZSNYAI, Director of the MOOC Creative Box and of the ESSCA Online Campus, commented:
“ESSCA is proud that the MOOC Creative Box has once more achieved EOCCS re-certification. EFMD recognises again the school’s dedication to providing continuously improved quality online programmes that meet participants’ needs. The EOCCS standards, and the insightful feedback from the certification team, contribute to upholding the highest quality of ESSCA’s online courses.”
During the same accreditation board meeting, the peer review team confirmed the three-year certification of the MBE LiVE (Mastering Business Excellence – Learning in a Virtual Environment) course at CEDEP (Centre européen d`éducation permanente), France.
About EFMD Online Course Certification System (EOCCS)
EOCCS provides an international quality benchmark in diverse education landscapes whereby digital technology is applied to teaching and learning. EOCCS gives online courses within universities, business schools, corporate learning organisations and public agencies a top international quality benchmark in the online learning landscape, strengthening not only their market positioning but also allowing for critical self-reflection and peer assessment.
With 61 certified courses from 20 institutions in 11 countries, EOCCS presents an international quality benchmark for online courses worldwide. The certification system is firmly embedded in the general philosophy of EFMD accreditations: internationalisation, practical relevance, and quality improvement.
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