At a press conference held in Paris on December 9, Babak Mehmanpazir, Dean of EM Strasbourg, presented the results of three years of transformation. The review was widely reported in the specialized press, highlighting the School's clear and unique positioning in the management school landscape.
A public school with the standards of a prestigious private school
"EM Strasbourg's dual identity is a real strength," explains Babak Mehmanpazir in an interview with the blog Headway Advisory. This unique feature allows the School to combine the advantages of a public institution with the standards of excellence of private grandes écoles, while fully aligning itself with the University of Strasbourg's strategy to expand its influence.
In concrete terms, the School benefits from the same international accreditations as private grandes écoles with affordable tuition and no compromise on academic standards or the quality of its programs.
This position is described as a differentiating asset by Le Monde des Grandes Écoles et Universités. EM Strasbourg is presented as "a public school, a recognized grande école, connected to businesses and the region, focused on experience and entrepreneurship."
"We will not double our enrollment": A conscious choice
EM Strasbourg has chosen stability where others favor expansion. "The goal is not to double enrollment, but to stabilize at around 3,000 to 3,300 students, focusing on qualitative growth," explains the dean in Thotis.
The article highlights stable recruitment trends, both for the longstanding three-year Programme Grande École and for the recently launched five-year program, with an upgrade in profiles and increased attractiveness among postsecondary preparatory class graduates.
This approach, hailed by L'Étudiant Educpros as "a clear strategy that combines thoughtful development, academic excellence, and economic sustainability," reflects a clear orientation: prioritizing quality support over the race for enrollment.
For students, this guarantees individualized support throughout their studies and access to a close-knit alumni network on a human scale.
Commitment to student success
EM Strasbourg has created a management position entirely dedicated to the student experience, from application to professional integration. This approach is still rare in the world of management schools.
As Le Monde des Grandes Écoles et Universités points out: "Commitment is at the heart of the model: students’ commitment to their studies and the institution's commitment to offering real, individualized, and accessible support."
In practice? Peer mentoring, enhanced monitoring of mental health and inclusion, recognition of skills acquired outside the classroom (community involvement, entrepreneurship, personal commitments). These are all measures that meet the expectations of new generations of students and reassure parents about the quality of the support offered.
Strasbourg, a region that matters
Located in the heart of Europe and the Rhine ecosystem, EM Strasbourg's location is a strategic asset. The School cultivates close ties with local businesses, European institutions, and the University, creating an environment conducive to student entrepreneurship.
As noted by Headway Advisory, the School is "deeply connected to its ecosystem, which makes entrepreneurship a lever for academic and societal impact." For students, this translates into concrete opportunities: internships, business projects, start-up incubation, and dual degrees with neighboring German and Swiss universities.