FT EMBA Ranking - Top 95

In the dynamic world of business education, partnerships between top-tier business schools have become increasingly significant in shaping the educational landscape and providing students with the most valuable global experience. One such partnership that made headlines in 2009 was the collaboration between the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Business School. This partnership took the top spot in the Financial Times’ Executive MBA (EMBA) rankings for 2009, moving up from its previous second-place position in 2008 and surpassing other prestigious institutions such as HEC Paris, the London School of Economics (LSE), NYU Stern, Columbia Business School, and the London Business School, which were all ranked in the top three globally.

The Kellogg-HKUST EMBA partnership is widely regarded as one of the most successful and innovative collaborations between a U.S. business school and an Asian counterpart. The program brings together the global reputation of Kellogg, which has long been known for its focus on leadership, teamwork, and strategic thinking, with HKUST’s deep understanding of the business environment in Asia and its strengths in the global marketplace. This fusion of strengths provides students with a unique learning experience that blends Western business theory with Eastern business practices. For many years, the program has been lauded for its ability to offer students exposure to both the developed and emerging markets, creating a truly global perspective on business.

One of the main factors that contributed to the success of this partnership and its ascent to the top spot in the 2009 Financial Times EMBA rankings was the innovative nature of the curriculum. The Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program is designed to be both rigorous and flexible, allowing senior professionals and executives to continue working full-time while pursuing their degree. The program is delivered in a modular format, with classes held in both Hong Kong and Chicago, as well as in other international locations. This structure allows students to build a global network of peers and professors, and it provides them with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in both Western and Asian markets.

In addition to the global reach and flexibility of the curriculum, the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program places a strong emphasis on leadership development. The program’s curriculum is designed not only to impart business knowledge but also to hone students’ leadership and strategic thinking skills. This focus on leadership is reflected in the program’s teaching methods, which incorporate case studies, simulations, and interactive group exercises. These activities allow students to learn from real-world business challenges and develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate complex business environments. Moreover, students benefit from the diverse perspectives of their classmates, who come from a wide range of industries and cultures, allowing them to engage in discussions that broaden their understanding of leadership and management in a global context.

Another key strength of the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program is the access it provides to top-notch faculty members. Professors from both Kellogg and HKUST bring years of academic expertise and industry experience to the classroom. Kellogg’s faculty is known for its cutting-edge research and innovative teaching methods, while HKUST’s professors offer a deep understanding of the business dynamics in Asia, particularly China, which has become an increasingly important player in the global economy. The collaboration between these two schools creates a powerful synergy, allowing students to benefit from the insights and expertise of world-class faculty members from both sides of the globe. This combination of Western and Eastern academic traditions enriches the learning experience and ensures that students are exposed to a broad range of ideas, methodologies, and perspectives.

The global nature of the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA partnership also translates into significant networking opportunities for students. In addition to gaining access to a global alumni network that spans multiple continents, students benefit from the opportunity to connect with business leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs from a wide variety of industries. These networking opportunities help students build relationships that can provide career support and open doors to new business opportunities. The program’s international residencies and electives further enhance these networking opportunities by allowing students to engage with business leaders and professionals in key global markets.

The success of the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program is also reflected in its strong performance in the Financial Times’ 2009 EMBA rankings. The ranking is based on a range of criteria, including the career progress of alumni, the diversity of the student body, the quality of faculty, and the strength of the program’s global reach. By outperforming other top schools like HEC Paris, LSE, and NYU Stern, the Kellogg-HKUST partnership demonstrated its ability to deliver a top-tier education that meets the needs of today’s global business environment. The program’s rise to the top spot in 2009 was a testament to the quality of its curriculum, the strength of its faculty, and the value it offers to students seeking to advance their careers in an increasingly globalized world.

The impressive ascent of the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program also highlights the growing importance of international partnerships in the field of business education. As the world becomes more interconnected, business schools are recognizing the need to offer programs that provide students with a truly global perspective. Partnerships like the one between Kellogg and HKUST are a response to this need, as they allow students to gain exposure to different business cultures and practices while building networks that extend across borders. These types of partnerships are becoming increasingly valuable as businesses look for leaders who can navigate the complexities of global markets and work effectively with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds.

Furthermore, the success of the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program in the 2009 Financial Times rankings underscores the growing importance of Asia as a hub for global business education. As China, India, and other Asian economies continue to rise in prominence, the demand for business education that incorporates a deep understanding of the region’s business practices and cultural dynamics has never been higher. The Kellogg-HKUST partnership, with its dual focus on Western and Eastern business traditions, positions its graduates to succeed in both developed and emerging markets, making it one of the most attractive options for aspiring global leaders.

FT Top 95 EMBA Programs:

1- Kellogg/Hong Kong UST Business School (China)
2- Trium: HEC Paris / LSE / New York University: Stern (France, UK, USA)
3- Columbia/London Business School (USA, UK)
4- University of Chicago: Booth (USA, UK, Singapore)
5- Insead (France, Singapore)
5- University of Pennsylvania, Wharton (USA)
7- IE Business School (Spain)
8- London Business School (UK)
9- Columbia Business School (USA)
10- Duke University: Fuqua (USA)
11- National University of Singapore School of Business (Singapore)
12- Washington University: Olin (China)
13- UC Berkeley/Columbia (USA)
14- IMD (Switzerland)
15- New York University: Stern (USA)
16- Iese Business School (Spain)
17- Northwestern University: Kellogg (USA)
18- Kellogg/WHU-Otto Beisheim School (Germany)
19- Chinese University of Hong Kong (China)
20- University of Michigan: Ross (USA)
21- City University: Cass (UK)
21- Essec/Mannheim (France, Germany)
23- Kellogg/York University: Schulich (Canada)
24- Purdue, Tias, CEU, GISMA (USA, Netherlands, Hungary, Germany)
25- ESCP Europe (France, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy)
26- Ceibs (China)
27- OneMBA: CUHK/RSM/UNC/FGV São Paulo/EGADE (China, Netherlands, USA, Brazil, Mexico)
28- UCLA: Anderson (USA)
29- University of Toronto: Rotman (Canada)
30- University of Western Ontario: Ivey (Canada, China)
31 Imperial College Business School (U.K.)
31 Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (Netherlands)
33 Cranfield School of Management (U.K.)
34 Tongji University/ENPC (China)
35 Warwick Business School (U.K.)
36 University of Alberta/University of Calgary: Haskayne (Canada)
37 Georgetown University: McDonough (U.S.A.)
37 Emory University: Goizueta (U.S.A.)
39 Rice University: Jones (U.S.A.)
40 National Taiwan University - College of Management (Taiwan)
41 Arizona State University: Carey (China)
41 WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)/University of Minnesota: Carlson (Austria)
41 University of Pittsburgh: Katz (U.S.A. / Brazil / Czech Republic)
44 Henley Business School (U.K.)
45 Thunderbird School of Global Management (U.S.A.)
46 Rutgers Business School (U.S.A.)
46 Universitat St.Gallen (Switzerland)
48 University of California at Irvine: Merage (U.S.A.)
48 National Sun Yat-Sen University (Taiwan)
50 University of Maryland: Smith (U.S.A.)
51 University of Texas at Dallas (U.S.A.)
52 Ashridge (U.K.)
53 Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden / Russia / Latvia)
54 Temple University: Fox (U.S.A.)
55 University of Texas at Austin: McCombs (U.S.A.)
55 Villanova School of Business (U.S.A.)
55 Helsinki School of Economics (Finland / S. Korea / Singapore)
58 Copenhagen Business School (Denmark)
59 Rollins College: Crummer (U.S.A)
59 University of Minnesota: Carlson (U.S.A.)
61 FIA - Fundacao Instituto de Administracao (Brazil)
61 Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School (Belgium)
63 Koc University GSB (Turkey)
64 Tulane University: Freeman (U.S.A.)
65 Georgia State University: Robinson (U.S.A.)
65 Queen's School of Business (Canada)
65 University College Dublin: Smurfit (Ireland)
68 Drexel University: LeBow (U.S.A.)
69 Nyenrode Business Universiteit (Netherlands)
69 Ohio State University: Fisher (U.S.A.)
71 University of Miami School of Business Administration (U.S.A.)
72 Pepperdine University: Graziadio (U.S.A.)
73 Baylor University (U.S.A.)
74 University of Rochester: Simon (U.S.A. / Switzerland)
75 EM Lyon Business School (France)
76 SMU: Cox (U.S.A.)
77 University of Utah: Eccles (U.S.A.)
78 University of Strathclyde Business School (U.K.)
79 Bradford School of Management/TiasNimbas Business School (U.K. / Netherlands / Germany)
80 University of Washington Business School: Foster (U.S.A.)
80 Michigan State University: Broad (U.S.A.)
80 Concordia University: Molson (Canada)
83 Wisconsin School of Business (U.S.A.)
84 Auburn University (U.S.A.)
85 University of Denver: Daniels (U.S.A.)
86 College of William and Mary: Mason (U.S.A.)
87 Ipade (Mexico)
88 Durham Business School (U.K.)
89 Loyola University Maryland: Sellinger (U.S.A.)
89 Brigham Young University: Marriott (U.S.A.)
91 Kozminski University (Poland)
92 Suffolk University: Sawyer (U.S.A)
93 University of Tennessee at Knoxville (U.S.A.)
94 Eada (Spain)
95 IAE Management and Business School (Argentina)

Source: Financial Times