The first emba X cohort graduates
28 October 2023 marked a historical milestone for continuing education in Switzerland, as both ETH Zurich and the University of St.Gallen celebrated the successful graduation of the pioneer cohort of their joint Executive MBA programme – the EMBA ETH HSG, known as emba X.
“The fact that the University of St.Gallen and ETH Zurich are cooperating in continuing education is an example of how we want to provide the society and the economy with the right tools to master the challenges of our times.”Günther Dissertori, Rector of ETH Zurich
The cooperation between the two institutions was commemorated during a special graduation ceremony, where the pioneer cohort, their close-ones and the programme’s Academic Directors Professor Stefano Brusoni (ETH Zurich) and Professor Karolin Frankenberger (University of St.Gallen) were joined by faculty and staff from both institutions.
To mark this historic occasion, the ceremony received contributions from Professor Günther Dissertori, Rector of ETH Zurich and Professor Bernhard Ehrenzeller, Rector of the University of St.Gallen, and a keynote speech by renowned mountaineer Sophie Lavaud, the first Swiss woman to climb the 14 eight-thousand meter peaks of the world.
The emba X programme is the first cooperation of its genre between Swiss academic institutions, positioned as one of the leading continuing education experiences in the European and global landscape by its unique value proposition: the combination of a world-leading technology powerhouse with a globally renowned business school to create an executive programme in general management geared towards social responsibility, and tackling the challenges of 21sr century business leaders.
The emba X programme is the first cooperation of its genre between Swiss academic institutions, positioned as one of the leading continuing education experiences in the European and global landscape by its unique value proposition: the combination of a world-leading technology powerhouse with a globally renowned business school to create an executive programme in general management geared towards social responsibility, and tackling the challenges of 21st century business leaders.
“Our goal is for students to end their emba X journey as socially responsible, well-rounded leaders, able to challenge established ways of thinking, getting things done, and engaging others in constantly learning and relearning," said Professor Frankenberger in her address. "We are proud to have witnessed our pioneer cohort fully embodying this vision from the outset, and excited about their future accomplishments, and the future of our cooperation.”
Professor Brusoni added: “There is no easy way out of the tensions between business and society. Learning to value diversity, reflect on it, integrate it in our decisions: this is the core factor that makes our decisions more inclusive, more open, flexible and empathic. We have evidence that the programme is helping our participants take decisions in a more transparent, inclusive way.”
After an intense 18-month programme, which aptly uses an “ultimate alpine journey” metaphor to showcase the innovative nature, complexity and Swiss DNA of its curriculum, the pioneer cohort as well as ETH Zurich and the University of St.Gallen can look back at a very successful cooperation.
The third cohort of the Executive MBA – ETH Zurich and University of St.Gallen will start their studies in January 2024.