ESADE has launched two new programmes: the Executive Master in Finance and the Executive Master in Marketing and Sales. These programmes – ESADE’s first hybrid Executive Education master’s programmes – consist of 40% face-to-face training and 60% online training and form part of the school’s “IN-ON” (in-class and online) portfolio, which aims to combine the advantages of face-to-face training (direct interaction with seasoned faculty and the opportunity to establish contact with top executives and industry professionals) with those of online training (flexible scheduling and interactive learning).

ESADE is one of the world’s only top-ranked business schools to launch programmes of this type. David Dinwoodie, Director of ESADE Executive Education, explained that the programmes are designed to “address the current needs of executives and companies” and that their distinctive characteristics include “adapting content to the digital learning format, methodological reflection on online teaching, the intensive use of technology, and innovative dynamics”. Marc Correa, Executive Director of the Executive Masters Unit, added: “The IN-ON project is an opportunity to reinvent the notion of in-class training by enhancing the experiential component of classes as compared to the traditional sessions organised by a conventional business school.”

The innovations offered by the new programmes include the transformation of traditional business cases into “video cases”, the constant renewal of material to ensure that it reflects current reality, and the use of blockchain technology for the transparent online certification of degrees.

International focus as added value

The new hybrid master’s programmes have a duration of one year (or six months for students who opt to pursue an executive diploma) and consist of four weeks of class in multiple countries. In the first edition of these programmes, which are taught in Spanish, students will attend classes for two consecutive weeks in Barcelona, for one week in Bogotá, and for one week in Lima (or, in the case of diploma students, two weeks – one in Lima and one in Bogotá). The programmes’ international focus is also evident from the profile of the students. The first edition brings together students of seven nationalities based in countries such as the United States, Switzerland, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama and Spain. The gender breakdown is 55% women and 45% men. The students have, on average, 8.5 years of work experience.

Juan Santos is a student in the new Executive Master in Finance. This Panamanian stock-market expert explained why he chose the programme: “It allowed me the flexibility to keep working at my company while updating my knowledge of the latest trends.” Shuo Chen Wu, a young Spanish woman of Chinese descent who currently works in the United States, decided to enrol in the Executive Master in Marketing and Sales for similar reasons: “This master had everything I was looking for: a face-to-face portion that would allow me to build working relationships with my colleagues, plus the flexibility to organise my time however I want.” She added that the programme’s multicultural nature was another key factor. Manuela Bedoya, a finance professional from Colombia now enrolled in the Executive Master in Finance, explained that the intensive experience was a turning point in her education: “In just three days, I changed my perspective on so many things. I have learned to take a broader vision and to think on my feet.” All three students described the first week of class as a highly enriching experience.