Our assessments are already international

We have no complex to do with schools. "For Hervé Penan, Director of the Institute of business administration (IAE) in Toulouse, ask to play seconds roles to competitors more powerful and more"visible ". The University is "plural": if it appears undeniable weaknesses, it also has of solid poles of excellence, capable of supporting without problem comparison with most of the "business schools" of the hexagon. In short, the IAE in Toulouse, which celebrates this year its fiftieth anniversary, is positioning itself in direct rival of the grandes écoles. And multiply the initiatives.

Paradoxically, the most significant of them is the innovative alliance that the IAE has just concluded with... a high school, the ESC Toulouse, in the field of research: the two institutions decided to join around a doctoral school in management, the IAE-driven science. "Our business models, our economic environments and our articles object us." And for the training, we are in head-on competition, admits Hervé Penan. But this should not prevent us from working together when, as on the other hand, we find our account. This is the case for research, which is a priority for us. "Competition, but also cooperation, therefore.

The agreement is to promote the training of research students. Students in third year of the ESC Toulouse have now the possibility to register master research at the IAE, their curriculum while leading to a double degree. In addition, the IAB in Toulouse will provide financial assistance to the training of doctoral students. Doctoral School will thus benefit both of staffing for its University Trusteeship and private funding. And the ESC will participate in the governance and the seminars of Doctoral School.

Second part of the partnership, the creation of a "Federal Institute" of research, which will bring together 50 teacher-researchers of the IAE of Toulouse I and quarantine in the ESC. They will be able to respond so grouped in the tender, organize seminars and collaborate on joint projects.

Toulouse pole of management research will thus have a significant strike force. The doctoral school, which aligns already some 140 PhD and issues between 15 and 20 doctoral degrees per year, aims to achieve, on the horizon of five years, promotions of 25 doctoral students "of high level." "By combining our resources, by strengthening our visibility, we can attract renowned teachers, for a semester or a year, said Hervé Penan.". In finance, we are among Europe's very best. And we have other areas of excellence, innovation, marketing or human resources management.

A case of communication

But the IAE has other projects in its cartons. Like, still confidential, an executive MBA, which should be designed on an innovative model. An "ambitious" project, which should involve many actors of Toulouse life, including in the field of culture.

At the same time, the AEI strives to enhance its international dimension. Her master's degree in International Management (MIM), taught in English, is on track for European accreditation E-Pass (European Program Accreditation System) that has launched the EFMD (1). Another sign of opening, the IAE is set up with the Domus Academy in Milan, one of the most prestigious European design schools, a day dedicated to the design. Also, an agreement was signed between the AEI and the Milanese school for student exchanges. "We are sometimes better known abroad as in France, said Hervé Penan." Our Masters in finance is regularly recruiting foreign students. Our assessments are already international. And we participate in several European research programmes.

Finally, the IAE intends to strengthen its links with businesses, including financing. "Already, our six business chairs with Pierre Fabre, Airbus, SFR, BVA, the dispatch of Midi and Merlane group us provide non-trivial resources, is the Director." But the money they bring are not a tax deductibility. "Also considers a formula a Foundation, for example would change the situation. And the IAE to strengthen his position, or even to move up a gear. "After all, we have the same skills as graduates of schools of management, we follow the same courses as them, sometimes with the same teachers, and we are also well prepared for working life, believes Aurélie Sellier, major promotion 2006 master strategic marketing of the IAE." What separates us is case of communication and media. "It is this gap that now intends to fill the IAE in Toulouse.