 Why
MBA-FSI?
The MBA in Financial Services and Insurance
(MBA-FSI) is an international, executive MBA programme, designed for
participants with high potential to achieve top executive functions in
financial services firms. No other existing programme at an executive
MBA level can claim to address the banking, as well as the (re)insurance,
and the investment industry from an international and holistic
perspective. The MBA in Financial Services and Insurance is unique
because of its:
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Unique programme, focusing on topics with
high strategic value:
we deal with the latest developments in management and apply them to the
financial services industry. Besides this, we also tackle topics
specific to the industry such as bancassurance, where to exploit
synergies in banking, insurance and investment, the impact of new
regulations in banking (Basel II) and insurance (Solvency II), MiFID,...
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Unique pooling of excellence,
available throughout the world: this
programme is the result of a long-term collaboration between
universities with an excellent reputation in the management of financial
serivices firms - each with their own area of expertise, complemented by
renowned academic and business specialists from around the world.
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Truly international profile in all its aspects:
participants, course locations, core faculty and guest speakers all have
an international dimension, which guarantees a broadening of your
personal horizon.
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Modern learning approach: we provide an
optimal mixture between teaching of theoretical frameworks, case
studies, guest speakers, company visits, business simulations and
practical projects and assignments.
Combination of learning and working:
The MBA-FSI covers a period of 22 months (including graduation), in
which two-week residential modules of classes, group work, etc. are
followed by non-residential periods during which assignments and
self-study (e.g. literature, case-preparation, thesis, etc.) have to be
completed.
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Ian McKillop teaching in Shanghai |
SOFIA Business Game |
Programme
setup
The MBA in Financial Services and Insurance programme is
organised through 6 residential modules of 2 weeks each at 6
different locations, during which classes, company visits, business
simulations and guest presentations take place. In between the modules,
there are non-residential periods during which take home
assignments, pre-course assignments, self study and final thesis (after
the final module) have to be completed.
During
the programme, general management knowledge and skills are combined with
in-depth insights into the business economics of the financial sector.
In order to achieve this goal, each module is structured on the basis of
two perspectives.
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The academic perspective offers participants the
necessary frameworks and tools to tackle the challenges of a modern
organisation. In each module participants acquire a firm understanding
of relevant management skills in different domains, including strategic
management, marketing, human resources and organisational behaviour,
accounting and finance, operations and technology, corporate governance,
risk management and other issues.
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Secondly, the MBA-FSI provides participants with
insights into the financial services industry. The focus is on the
different sub-sectors of the financial services sector: banking,
insurance and investment. We discuss the main trends taking place in the
different industries and translate the academic and theoretical
frameworks to the financial services industry.
Taking
these two perspectives into account, this programme provides high
potentials with the necessary training to pursue a successful career in
today’s fast changing financial services sector.
History
and alumni
The very first MBA-FSI edition took place during the
period 1999-2000. Twenty-two participants coming from six different
countries enrolled for this edition with modules in Belgium, Switzerland,
The Netherlands, UK, France and the US. Since then, 3 other groups have
also completed the programme. The current edition (5th
edition) of 26 participants that started in October 2006 will graduate
in September 2008. A new edition will start in October 2008 and
graduate in September 2010.
Current group of MBA-FSI participants
While the programme slowly approaches its 10th
anniversary, its development continues from that of an entrepreneurial
initiative to an established and internationally well respected
executive education programme. Since its inception, the programme has
established additional collaborations with high class institutions and
faculty in the financial services industry.
The cooperation with HEC Montréal and the China Europe
International Business School (CEIBS) are some good examples of our
commitment to bring relevant and globally diverse expertise to the
programme.
By the end of edition 5, the MBA-FSI will have a broad
international alumni network of more than 130 people, coming
from 17 different countries.
The programme committee considers its alumni as one of its most
important stakeholders; in fact they are seen as the programme’s
worldwide ambassadors.
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The Alumni network serves two main functions: knowledge sharing and
networking. MBA-FSI Alumni have access to the participants' and
Alumni part of this website. In this way, they are kept-up-to date
about the programme itself, about the other Alumni, and about
research and publications at the organinsing universities.
Furthermore, Alumni are invited to periodic local Alumni meetings
and to the two-yearly graduation ceremony of every new edition.
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Below, you can see some group pictures of the previous MBA-FSI Classes.
You can click on the picture to enlarge.
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Group picture edition 1 |
Group picture edition 2 |
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Group picture edition 3 |
Group picture edition 4 |
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Dirk Billemon,
Belgium,
Chief Executive of Fortis Luxembourg,
Alumnus
"(...) After more than 15 years of
professional experience in the various departments of an insurance company and in
consideration of my growing awareness of the intertwinement of banking and insurance, I
felt the need to revitalize myself. The programme was interesting because of the academic
underpinnings and the integrated approach of the financial services industry. I gathered
better insights into the synergy of the various activities. Due to the multidisciplinary
and international dimension with input of best practices by leading guest speakers from
the financial world, the theoretical models and concepts are underpinned by tangible
substance (...)" |
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Sylva Fisnar,
Switzerland,
Swiss Re, Divisional
Operations Officer,
Executive Team Member,
Alumnus
"(...) Being in the right place at the
right time remains an important prerequisite for a career. However, a professional
training programme such as the MBA-FSI, which is up to date on developments in today's
banking and (re-)insurance industry, provides to be an additional key to success
(...)" |
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 Robert Gremli,
Switzerland
Zurich Financial Services, Head of International Programme
Business,
Alumnus
“(…) Specific take home assignments between the modules have given me the
opportunity and drive to take a closer look at some of our internal projects, to discuss
them with colleagues, to scrutinise them and to take influence on future decisions and
goals (…)” |
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 Katia Luz, Brazil,
Odebrecht Construction,
Director of Risk Management, Alumnus
“(…) When I first heard about the MBA-FSI, I immediately realized it was
exactly what I was looking for. Given my very busy traveling schedule, the modular set-up was the perfect solution for me. The focus on financial
services and insurance is a "must" for people within the financial sector. The holistic view on the financial services industry is a valuable professional perspective for today's world. The quality and
experience of the professors combined with qualified speakers made it an unique experience
(…)" |
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 Ronald Koelewijn,
Netherlands,
BNP Paribas,
Sales & Relationship Management, Alumnus
“(…) The MBA-FSI provides a
well-balanced program and integrates theory and practice in a
complementary way. The interaction with other participants is
one of the most valuable assets of this program. Being able to
discuss strategic issues with other professionals helps
outside-the-box thinking
(…)" |
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