Vlerick Business School and IMT Ghaziabad launch a Global Executive MBA

India is a profoundly innovative, forward-looking country with a huge digital infrastructure, one of the world’s largest start-up ecosystems – and a space programme. No surprise then that it’s targeting the ambition of becoming a fully developed economy by 2047.

It has already achieved sustained growth of 7-8% a year. And now with the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement in place, its economic and social transformation shows no signs of slowing down.

So we’re delighted to deepen our relationship with IMT Ghaziabad, with the launch of a new Global Executive MBA.

Nurturing India’s future leaders

We’ve partnered with the school – which is on the outskirts of the Indian capital, New Delhi – since 2018. Our combined strengths put us in a prime position to develop the leaders that India’s growing economy – and society – will need.

The new Executive MBA, which has been designed specifically for the Indian market, will give participants the international mindset, tools and approaches to address the vast country’s most pressing challenges.

Aligned to two global megatrends – technology and sustainability – the Global Executive MBA at IMT Ghaziabad positions business as a force for positivity and flourishing societies.

“We are convinced that much of the future growth will come from digital transformation and sustainability transformations,” says Professor David Veredas, who leads the programme.  

Rethinking business for a modern world

India is already a global hub for technology and digital innovation, with deep expertise in areas such as software development and artificial intelligence. At the same time, the country is responding to increasingly visible sustainability challenges – including water scarcity, air pollution and extreme heat – by rapidly developing renewable energy solutions.

These pressures are pushing businesses to rethink how they operate and grow.

For leaders, that means developing the ability to navigate both technological change and environmental impact.

Each institution will deliver around half of the curriculum. IMT Ghaziabad faculty will focus on areas where understanding the Indian business context is especially important – including organisational behaviour, negotiation, marketing and operations. Vlerick faculty, meanwhile, will teach subjects with a broader global perspective, such as finance, accounting, strategy and data-driven decision-making. 

The aim is not to export a single model of business education, but to combine perspectives.

“We see this as a partnership of equals,” says Prof Veredas. “Both institutions bring their strengths, and both learn from the collaboration.”

Outstanding opportunity for Indian businesses and their high-fliers

The Global Executive MBA at IMT Ghaziabad is a part-time, internationally focused programme. It combines online learning and in-person study in India, Europe and Dubai.

The Europe-Emirates-India axis is now one of the most important trading corridors in the world – representing more than €175bn in trade value for India.

The Global Executive MBA is aimed at professionals with at least five years of work experience who want to continue building their careers while developing new leadership capabilities. And when it comes to pricing, it’s extremely competitive.

Participants will explore how organisations operate across different regions and industries. They’ll take part in real-world company challenges – and they’ll collaborate to analyse problems, develop solutions and present their ideas directly to company leaders.

The programme concludes with a capstone project that’s carried out within each participant’s organisation, allowing them to apply the programme’s insights to a real strategic challenge facing their company.

“It’s a win-win,” says Prof Veredas. “Companies gain fresh perspectives from their employees, who are being supported by leading academics and industry insiders. And participants gain hands-on experience applying what they’ve learned, raising their profile within their own organisations.”

Exciting – and mutually beneficial

“We think there is a real momentum right now,” says Prof Veredas. “India is going through enormous growth, and that growth will require business leaders who are ready for the challenges ahead. Vlerick’s focus on responsible leadership, digital transformation and sustainability brings a distinctive perspective to the partnership.

“At the same time, India’s scale, its rapid technological development and its approach to innovation all offer valuable insights that can enrich our own thinking and teaching.

“Together, we’re creating a learning environment that reflects the reality of modern business: global, interconnected and shaped by powerful technological and societal change.

“And by combining our strengths, we hope to prepare leaders who can help shape that future – in India, in Europe and beyond.”

This new Global Executive MBA, developed with IMT Ghaziabad, complements our Executive MBA portfolio.