HEC Paris and Columbia join forces to meet the challenges of climate
HEC Paris is pursuing its strategic international development and its academic actions in favor of the environment with a double degree, concluded in June 2023, with Columbia University's Climate School. Faced with the crucial challenges posed by climate change, this unique program will enable students from both institutions to train in international management, climate science and decision-making within companies, NGOs and governments.
Auteur/Author of this article: Frédéric Voirin
A unique double degree with the best of both institutions
With this new signature and unique double degree with Columbia University, HEC Paris is pursuing its strategy of developing international academic partnerships. In addition to its alumni network of over 70,000 graduates and an active presence on every continent, HEC Paris is at the heart of a dynamic network of cooperation with 125 of the world's most prestigious universities and schools. Thanks to these university alliances, the various HEC Paris programs benefit from a highly diverse range of interdisciplinary courses.
Thanks to this strategic alliance with Columbia University's Climate School, students in this program will be trained in international management, climate science and the implications of the climate challenge for human societies.
This unique academic pathway is designed to equip tomorrow's learners and leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the pressing challenges of climate change on a global scale, in line with the new Master in Management curriculum.
According to Yann Algan, Dean of Pre-Experience Programs at HEC Paris, "this course is unique because it combines the best of our two institutions to provide a multidisciplinary perspective on climate issues, as well as the managerial and entrepreneurial methods to find solutions to these challenges with a very strong impact on society."
"This course aims to find solutions to these climate challenges with a very strong impact on our societies."
Specific knowledge in Climate and CSR
Today, more than ever, HEC Paris is delighted to announce the creation of a new double degree in cooperation with Columbia Climate School, which will enable all HEC students to benefit from this dual training, whatever their level of entry to the Grande Ecole Program.
In concrete terms, this new double degree between HEC Paris and Columbia Climate School develops a number of CSR skills to maximize understanding of climate physics and its biological and societal implications.
Thanks to highly qualified profiles at the Columbia Climate School, such as a historian of science, a professor of international law and public policy, a professor of architecture and urban planning and a lecturer in behavioral ecology, students in this new program can deepen their knowledge of environmental justice, urban design, conservative biology and the history of climatology.
The HEC-related courses of this program include political science, economics and management, as well as financial management and quantitative analysis. According to Yann Algan, Dean of Pre-Experience Programs, this training program meets the needs of students who want to be agents of change in business. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the student populations of both schools, enabling them to take transformative action on climate change at all scales and in all sectors".
Dr. Mingfang Ting, Professor of Climate and Co-Senior Director of Education at Columbia Climate School, adds, "Columbia Climate School strives to develop a diverse learning community deeply committed to addressing the challenges the world faces as a result of climate change. The program is particularly proud of the dynamic academic backgrounds represented in the degree, which includes students from the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. Students from HEC Paris will build on our strengths and bring a unique perspective to our interdisciplinary learning environment with their strong management foundation from a renowned international business school."
"This is a fantastic opportunity for students from both schools to take transformative action on climate change.
A complete pathway to a prestigious double-diploma
The program begins with a first year of studies at HEC Paris in L3 and M1, or just in M1 for applicants from parallel admissions. After their gap year, students then join the Columbia Climate School's Master of Arts Climate & Society program for three semesters, on the American campus where they will perfect their eco-responsible learning.
Such is the case of Farida Razaqi, a young Afghan student in the Climate & Society School's Class of 2024, who explains that "thanks to my studies at the Columbia Climate School, I hope to develop my knowledge of climate science and public policy to develop regional and global solutions to climate problems. One of the courses I'm most looking forward to taking is Adaptation to Climate Change. This course will be extremely valuable in many ways, including advancing my skills in climate risk assessment, risk communication and risk management."
At the end of their studies in France and the USA, and after validation of their prior learning, students will receive a double degree from the 2 institutions in the form of two prestigious diplomas: the Master in Management from HEC Paris and the Master of Arts in Climate and Society from Columbia Climate School.
These young graduates can then officially enter the job market with a solid academic background, concrete knowledge and experience, as well as a first network of contacts from the business world to build tomorrow's climate solutions and become the future leaders of climate action.
"Thanks to my studies at the Columbia Climate School, I hope to develop my knowledge of climate science and public policy to find local and global solutions to climate problems".
Having launched its Society & Organization Institute dedicated to sustainable development in 2012, played an active part in various COPs on climate, launched the Business Schools for Climate inter-school initiative in 2021, continued with HEC Climate Days in 2022, and intensified its actions for the climate and the biodiversity in 2023, HEC Paris is continuing its action on global issues with this new double degree focused on a better understanding of the economy in the age of ecology.
More info about Business Schools for Climate
Discover more about the Grande Ecole Master in Management Program of HEC Paris