Columbia University’s Climate School and HEC Paris, a leading European business school, have announced a new cooperative double degree program. Students will be trained in international management, climate science and the implications of climate challenge on society.
The goal of the program is to prepare students to become decision makers in companies, NGOs and governments so they can address crucial climate issues, using dual skills in management and climate science. The multidisciplinary initiative will provide students with a systemic understanding of climate physics and its biological and societal implications, in conjunction with political science, economics, management, financial management and quantitative analysis.
At the end of the program, students will be awarded two degrees: the MA in Climate and Society from Columbia Climate School and the Master in Management (MiM) from HEC Paris.
Students will begin at HEC Paris. After completing their studies there, they are then encouraged to take an optional gap year in which they will be involved in a broad spectrum of personal and business development activities, including jobs or internships. Afterward, students attend the Columbia Climate School’s MA in Climate and Society program, which lasts three semesters.
Mingfang Ting, professor of climate and co-senior director for education at the Columbia Climate School said, “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. HEC Paris students will build upon our strengths and bring unique lenses to our interdisciplinary learning environment given their strong foundation in management.”
“The course is unique in that it combines the very best of our two institutions to provide a multidisciplinary perspective on climate issues, as well as the managerial and entrepreneurial methods for finding solutions,” said Yann Algan, dean of pre-experience programs at HEC Paris. “It’s a great opportunity for students from both institutions to undertake a transformative action on the climate at all levels and in every industry.”
This is such a nice initiative, I’m sure the forthcoming cohorts will benefit immensely.