Inform, educate, and amuse. NEOMA Management School in France might use this BBC purpose statement from the Royal Charter.
One of the nation’s top business schools, with over 70,000 graduates, offers a variety of high-quality undergraduate, MBA, and Masters programmes on its campuses in Paris, Rouen, and Reims. The triple-accredited institution is also a leader in VR, metaverse, and AI-driven teaching approaches.
Business instructors also react on Stranger Things, Squid Games, Bridgerton, and Wednesday’s popularity, as well as Netflix’s disruptive business strategy.
NEOMA Dean Delphine Manceau says Netflix is their primary rival at home. “They may quit studying and stream. So, our classes must be as entertaining as Netflix.”
The school introduced “iLearning” classes in January to do precisely that. The letter I represents “impactful,” “immersive,” and “interactive” as well as Apple. Each pupil is a hero with difficult choices to make.
Post-pandemic distant learning has grown in popularity, making it important for educators to keep students motivated.
NEOMA was the first European business school to have a 100% virtual campus in 2020. Its programmes integrate AI and VR to evaluate students, provide resources for cooperation and evaluation, and aid with case studies.
The online campus is fantastic because students from across the world may readily interact. We provide a day for 400 foreign academic partners to see our pupils. “These events would be expensive to organise and have a huge carbon footprint,” Manceau says.
NEOMA’s answer to the COVID-19 epidemic, which prevented many overseas students from returning to France, was the virtual campus.
The virtual campus was crucial in the initial phase since all classes were online and it provided an alternative to Zoom. Now that we’re back on campus, we’re attempting to find new educational uses. “Our Executive MBA has tracks in China and Europe, and they work together quite smoothly on the virtual campus,” Manceau says.
The school’s future virtual campus will build on its three years of remote delivery leadership. Delphine Manceau refuses to abandon face-to-face learning for technology. The three French campuses provide top-notch pedagogical equipment such augmented learning rooms, creative and simulation rooms, trading rooms, and language laboratories.
“Technology doesn’t replace in-person instruction for us. Tech should make humans more productive and relevant. Data aids decision-making in many firms. Manceau argues instructors will be more relevant in face-to-face teaching if they have student profile data. “We must advance in multiple ways, integrating the best of each technology to complement the vibrant learning environment of the campuses in Reims, Rouen, and Paris.”
Delphine Manceau loves being a business school dean because she cares about people and is open to new technology that improve learning.
“I love that colleges and business schools are the first to convey each generation’s ambitions. She claims we see society’s changes before they happen.
Youth have changed in five years. Pandemic-related acceleration. Technology affects our job, society, and education, therefore we must modify what and how we educate. I think it’s a fantastic moment to manage a business school because it’s not always easy, but you’re in the midst of what’s happening.”
She is upbeat despite having the ability to shape business. She sees changemakers in NEOMA students.
They’re worried about the planet’s future. People can resent how things have worked for decades or centuries. Every generation has paradoxes. Why not? “These folks were cooped up at home with their parents as adolescents, when basically what you want is to go out and meet your friends and live your own life,” she explains.
This altered their perception of time. They want effect. I think this generation has a new conflict between long-term changemaking and time. We can turn this passion and aspiration into something good.”
Manceau thinks business schools should also help nervous, unhappy, and overburdened students. NEOMA launched two student welfare programmes last spring. “D-Stress on demand” virtual reality classes help students overcome concerns like flying, crowds, and public speaking that might hinder their study and jobs. “Feel well on demand” offers 24/7 online interactive courses on sports, nutrition, personal development, and more.
NEOMA’s Wellness Centre was novel for a French business school the year before the pandemic. The US has long had them. If we can help students thrive while they’re learning, they’ll continue to thrive after they join a firm. “We know how critical the early years of adulthood are for the rest of your life,” adds Manceau.
The school’s efforts to expand programme diversity depend on student mental health. Financial help is also crucial. Since 2008, NEOMA’s Reims and Rouen student clubs have mentored underprivileged French secondary school pupils. The plan aims to assist them climb the “ropes of achievement” in higher education.
Funding students is the first step to social diversity. Manceau states, “We publicly committed that no student should stop studying at NEOMA for financial reasons.” She says she’ll quadruple the school’s scholarship money in five years.
“Psychological obstacles are also important. So many young people don’t apply to top business schools like ours, and they don’t even contact us to ask about scholarships, so we can’t show them any different.”
Delphine Manceau, one of Europe’s most notable female deans, strongly supports gender diversity at all levels. “I’m proud of our 45 percent female faculty. Our executive team strongly promotes a policy to attract more women. Being a woman dean helps.”
The NEOMA Dean also helps students, especially women, negotiate compensation. Because of preconceptions, we advise students against gender-based professional choices. Again, it’s a lengthy journey.”
Naturally, business school stakeholders want to hear from the dean. Deans like Manceau can influence an institution’s image through social media.
How do you build an internet following? Manceau believes in doing everything oneself. I do it alone. We represent our school, management, and higher education. I usually provide NEOMA and higher education-related material. Many young individuals, potential students, and their families lack management and higher education information.”
An institution that embraces technology yet remains human arises. NEOMA’s new 2023-2027 strategic plan, “Engage for the Future,” intends to continue the school’s transformation in pedagogy, societal impact, and student services.
Delphine Manceau embodies the school’s goal and reinforces NEOMA’s standing as an innovative higher education institution.