ESPRIT Executive MBA Visit to New York

In the first week of October, a group of 12 Executive MBA students and the Head of the Executive MBA Department, Dr Inès Mhaya, from ESPRIT, embarked on a week-long study trip to New York, which included two days at Columbia University, organized by Columbia Global Center Tunis.

On Thursday, October 3rd, the group enjoyed a Columbia University campus tour, discovering one of North America’s most iconic centers of knowledge. The following day, October 4th, they visited Columbia Business School (CBS) and the Columbia Innovation Lab. During their time at CBS, the students attended a dynamic conference led by Professor Kamel Jedidi. The session featured a captivating presentation by Professor Sheena Iyengar, a renowned expert in decision-making and innovation. Professor Iyengar introduced her influential Think Bigger methodology, highlighting its role in fostering creative problem-solving and strategic thinking in business contexts. She also showcased her innovative approach to incorporating artificial intelligence and language models (AI/LLM), illustrating how these technologies can enhance decision-making processes.

The event was further enriched by the presence of several faculty members, whose insights fostered a dynamic learning environment. This allowed students to engage in meaningful discussions and gain practical knowledge that they can apply in their future careers. 

Finally, the students had exclusive access to the Columbia Innovation Lab, which added to the overall enriching experience, providing the students with a glimpse into the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship. There, they met with Ivy Shultz, Senior Director of Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship at Columbia Engineering, and Dario Vasquez, Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Design at Columbia Engineering, who explained their work and engaged with the students about questions of entrepreneurship.