The Entrepreneurial Leadership Seminar (ELS) offers MSc MTEC and MAS MTEC students a hands-on, collaborative experience. They work with project leaders and senior executives to tackle an organisation's real-world challenges. In 2024, they went to UBS to explore the transformative potential of AI in banking.
The ELS is not your traditional course. Instead, it provides a dynamic, hands-on learning experi-ence where students collaborate with leading companies. Coached by case managers at these companies and guided by D-MTEC professors and researchers, the students tackle real-world challenges crucial to these organisations. After AWS, Roche, Hirslanden, Georg Fischer, Swisscom, Stadler and ABB, the 13th edition of the ELS in 2024 took place in partnership with UBS.
AI in banking
As UBS navigates the consolidation of the banking sector in Switzerland and beyond, it also faces the opportunities and risks posed by AI. The bank aims to leverage AI to enhance decision-making, improve client experiences, and ensure robust security and compliance.
The students teamed up in groups to focus on three challenges about AI in banking:
- How can we govern AI in banking?
- Can AI transform M&A targeting?
- How do we ensure ethical AI in finance?
Throughout the seminar, participants received coaching and support from D-MTEC faculty, including Professor Stefano Brusoni, Dr Oliver von Dzengelevski, Professor Georg von Krogh, and Dr Jörg Behrens. UBS experts also provided valuable insights on presentation excellence and delivering impactful results.
After a semester of hard work, the student teams presented their findings to a group of UBS’s senior management. They received encouraging feedback and recognition for the potential of their results to drive meaningful change in the organisation and the financial sector at large.
Win-win
“For me, the ELS is one of the highlights of what I do,” says Professor Zeynep Erden. “I love connecting closely with the students, seeing their development throughout the seminar, and witnessing the real impact on their growth and confidence.”
“We encourage students to step out of their comfort zones,” says Dr Isabel Spicker, who organises the course with Professor Erden. “Only then can we kindle the potential of our students for critical thinking, creativity, and innovative problem-solving.”
The ELS helps participants develop competency in self-reflection and effective feedback – key skills for professional and personal growth. The connections made through the seminar often lead to opportunities for participating students, including master’s theses, internships, or employment at partner companies. Also, the partner firms benefit, says Dr Spicker: “Through hosting the ELS at their organisation, our partners get access to fresh perspectives, actionable insights, and a direct link to talent.”
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Zeynep Erden and Isabel Spicker coordinate the ELS. -
ELS 2024 Finale
What our partners say
“We had a fabulous time collaborating with the open, passionate, and collaborative students. Their fresh perspectives and problem-solving passion were truly inspiring. It's great to see programmes preparing young talents for the real-world workplace.”Claire Corish, Managing Director Data Analytics & AI at UBS
“Thank you for delving deep with so much grit and perseverance into such a difficult topic as governing AI in banking. I can confidently say that the depth and quality of your work is on par with top-level strategy consulting firms.”Pavlin Mavrodiev, Section Lead at UBS and Doctoral Graduate from D-MTEC Chair of Systems Design
What our students say about the ELS
“I was surprised by how we transformed a broad problem into actionable solutions. My biggest learning came from reflecting on the evolving team dynamics and the emergence of individual roles and how these changes influenced my approach to teamwork.”Martina Pancheri, MSc MTEC student
“Focusing on personal development, small class sizes, and coaching from multiple professors and industry professionals provided helpful feedback on essential soft skills and leadership qualities. It pushed me to grow as a thoughtful leader.”Clemens von Gronau, MAS MTEC student