The first days of the semester were sunny and warm thanks to the professional but friendly welcome from the Brazilian team, especially Gabriela Sampaio and Renata Knupfer Coutinho, both Student Office collaborators at SKEMA.
A busy programme on 11 January gave a taste of things to come: Viviane Barret (FDC associate dean for Corporate Education) welcomed the students, emphasising the interest of the collaboration between FDC and SKEMA. FDC has expertise in leadership and company management in Brazil and beyond while SKEMA has, for several years, taken up the challenge of training talents for the global knowledge economy. The cooperation between these two institutions will be fruitful for both and above all, for the goal of equipping a new generation of manager-entrepreneurs for the globalised world.
Geneviève Poulingue (associate dean Master in Management, Grande Ecole programme) and new director of the Brazilian campus followed up these same objectives and reminded students of the academic demands shared by both institutions in terms of their expectations of students and professors in the creation of new knowledge through active teaching and learning methods. Of course, students were also reminded to take advantage of the very rich experience offered by campus life, making sure to adopt the attitudes to make the most of this.
Various speakers gave information and advice in terms of security (Belo Horizonte Police Department), using IT, sports (there is a big choice, including football, rugby and horse-riding). A memorable moment opened unexpected horizons with presentations of three humanitarian projects (Minas International, Fondation Monique Leclerq, Operaçao Brasil) that students can take up. These experiences correspond to the values shared by the SKEMA community: they contribute to the local area that is so welcoming, and provide a different approach to globalisation through actually experiencing it. Not to mention the fact that this type of commitment is highly regarded by recruiters on a CV.
Students were invited to a welcome lunch where they saw the magnificent environment of the Nova Lima campus and took advantage of the Fondation’s spaces.
We wish all our students an excellent semester in Belo Horizonte!