New MSM-RWTH Aachen University collaboration in Innovation Management praised

Students from MSM’s full-time MBA program and four employees from three technical universities in Ethiopia followed a special Chief Certificate Program on Innovation Management offered in cooperation with RWTH Aachen University in Germany last week. For the MBA group, this course was part of the specialization curriculum.

The five-day program was developed for, and successfully implemented by, top German executives to fulfill the increased needs and importance of knowledge of (future) managers in the field of innovation and innovation strategy. State of the art developments in innovation management were presented by research experts and besides theoretical lectures on topics such as “Lean Innovation” and “Frontend of Innovation”, participants also actively participated in case studies and workshops, and paid a company visit to Ford.

All participants successfully completed the course and received a German Executive Education Certificate from RWTH Aachen University.

The participants received the program warmly and praised its relevance and unique content. According to the students ‘the content of the courses, the quality of the teaching material, the professionalism of the lecturers and the overall arrangements for the week’s program have been catalytic’.

MSM’s Dean Professor Wim Naudé indicated, when he announced the development of this program last year at the start of the academic year, that MSM wished to raise the relevance of its Maastricht MBA degree by incorporating a cutting-edge module on innovation management.

‘We see that the demand for MBA graduates with a throughout understanding of technological innovation management is rising very fast. The rise of Industry 4.0, and relatedly of ICT, robotics, and networked production has created a demand for managers who can contribute to the digital transformation of their organizations…the Maastricht MBA offered by MSM is now by far the most valuable MBA in the region, offer not only a fully NVAO-accredited, globally oriented MBA degree but also the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Innovation Management from the famous RWTH Aachen University”.

MSM and RWTH Aachen University cooperate on a number of programs and are still expanding their collaboration. New joint educational programs, a new MSc in Water Management, a MSc in Management and Engineering in Computer Aided Manufacturing Engineering (starting in October), and a joint DBA degree in Technology and Innovation Management. More information about this DBA program will follow soon.