It’s become strategically imperative for many business schools to reach beyond their home country borders. For ESSEC Business School, this has most recently transpired as launching their own hub in India.

ESSEC Business School officially announced the opening of its hub in Mumbai last month in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron. The strategic milestone coincided with the President’s visit to India in honour of the Indo-French Year of Innovation.

ESSEC’s Mumbai hub is the first step in a long-term plan to develop a strong institutional presence in India. It will allow ESSEC to boost its international development, establish local partnerships, and enhance student recruitment and mobility.

“For years, ESSEC Business School has embodied academic excellence and truly global reach,” said Vincenzo Vinzi, Dean and President of ESSEC. “Today, that enduring legacy takes an essential step forward into a dynamic country of incredible growth and potential: India. This move is the first step in our long-term plan for a significant institutional presence in the country.”

The Mumbai Hub: A strategic anchor

The newly inaugurated Mumbai Hub, to be led by Sophie Collet Khanna, is designed as a strong foothold to build deeper ties with Indian higher education institutions, corporate partners, and its alumni network. While serving as ESSEC’s strategic base, the Hub will be the catalyst for ESSEC’s ambitious academic roadmap in the region.

A cornerstone of this vision is a partnership with the top French engineering school, CentraleSupélec. Together, the institutions are fusing Business, Engineering, Technology, and Science to create a unique, hybrid STEM-B approach. This future-fit educational framework is designed to meet the needs of modern industries, focusing on solution-building and high employability in complex times. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation at the highest level between India and France.

Expanding academic excellence with IIMB and ISB

Further defining its commitment to the Indian market, ESSEC has announced the enhancement of its partnerships with India’s premier institutions:

• IIM Bangalore (IIMB): ESSEC is in the process of establishing a prestigious double degree program, where students are awarded an ESSEC Master in Management (MIM) and an IIM Bangalore MBA degree.
• Indian School of Business (ISB): The school is enhancing student mobility initiatives, strengthening the exchange of global talent and perspectives.

These partnerships will allow ESSEC students to have a new multicultural student experience and enhance their understanding of global business practices.

“The Mumbai Hub is where the next chapter of ESSEC’s global story begins,” concluded Vinzi. “Together, we are ready to shape the future of management education in India.”

The Mumbai hub is ESSEC’s third international hub, after London and New York City, acting as “embassies” — outposts of ESSEC abroad — designed to build networks composed of local alumni, academic institutions, and corporate partners.

For additional insights, announcements and perspectives, visit the conversation on Business Education.