The Energy MBA

*On Thursday 17th May 2012, ISCTE Business School will be hosting an information session on the Energy MBA.  The session will be chaired by the Director of the Programme, Dr Manuel Pinho, and the Executive Director, Professor Pedro Falcão.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Energy MBA is invited to attend the information session at 18h30 in the INDEG Auditorium.*

 The Energy MBA is geared towards high-quality individuals worldwide with diverse backgrounds. It is designed for people committed to the development of clean and renewable energy systems as well as to the design and management of energy markets and projects for a sustainable future.

Two semesters of classes will be held at ISCTE, in Lisbon - Portugal and one semester of energy-related classes will take place at Columbia University, in New York City. In addition, students will have a residential stay in the “Energy Living Lab” in Portugal. This program structure provides students with the opportunity to benefit from a challenging academic environment in two international universities and also to study in-site the operation of some of the most innovative renewable energy projects in the world. Portugal is a frontrunner in renewable energies and electrical mobility and hosts several flagship projects, such as the largest wind park in Europe and the largest solar plant in the world, a very ambitious program of large hydro new projects and the intention to create the first ever national platform for electrical cars.

Public awareness of the need to drastically reduce CO2 emissions is higher than ever before. The next decades will be marked by a global effort to create a sustainable relationship with energy and the environment and this will produce a new era of investment and technological change worldwide.

Execution will be the key. In the next decades, management expertise in energy (including production, efficiency and mobility) will be an important driver to allow for a rapid deployment of a large number of new projects.

Portugal has a unique environment to train a new generation of highly skilled management professionals in energy and sustainability, with emphasis on clean and renewable energies. The country is a frontrunner in renewable energies and electrical mobility and exceptionally open to innovation. It hosts several flagship projects, such as the largest wind park in Europe and the largest solar plant in the world, a very ambitious program of large hydro new projects and the intention to create the first ever national platform for electrical cars.

This unique environment led us to create The Energy MBA, a program aimed at developing a new generation of highly skilled management professionals and leaders in the evolving energy industry. This program is focused on providing creative interdisciplinary individuals the needed management tools, resources and perspectives on the current and future potential energy environment, leaning towards clean and renewable energies.

The Energy MBA targets high-quality candidates from various countries, with diverse backgrounds. The program is not limited to students with specialized energy backgrounds, but instead seeks individuals who are committed to contributing to the development of clean and renewable energy systems and in the design and management of energy markets and projects.

Why Choose the The Energy MBA

• A Unique MBA program worldwide, developed to help create a new generation of highly skilled executives in the energy and energy-related industries.

• 2 semesters of classes held in a leading business school in Portugal, a country with an environment exceptionally open to the adoption of new energy policies / technologies.

• 1 semester of electives classes at Columbia University (NYC, USA).

• “Energy Living Lab” field-trip at several energy projects.

• “Top manager agenda seminars”, with seminars and conferences by top European and US policymakers in the energy industry.

• A Personal Development Program for each student which aims to explore and develop the dimensions of behavior, attitude, and personal skills, preparing students to better lead, communicate, motivate and create enduring change.

• An innovative Creativity Program. At the end of the program, students should be aware of their creative abilities to think “out of the box”, to create and better sell ideas and to trust their capacities in managing complexity and uncertainty when facing unexpected and unknown situations.

• An individual Business Mentor for each student. The mentor is a senior manager who provides advice, counseling and expertise in preparing the student for his/her future professional career.

• An Energy and Politics module that approaches Energy as a problem of choices and political conflicts.

• An unforgettable living experience in Lisbon and in New York City. Lisbon is Europe’s west coast capital and one of the safest cities in Europe, with a very competitive cost of living, a warm climate, sandy beaches and a highly cosmopolitan
and multicultural population.

A Unique Setting

Testimonials

Celma Pires
Financial Officer, Portugal
The Energy MBA 2010/2011

Why did you choose the ISCTE Business School’s Energy MBA? This MBA is differentiated by a number of different factors: the content and faculty are extremely good, there is a strong relationship between business and academia and it adds the content of a traditional MBA to the energy component. I must also stress the fact that there are students of various nationalities and international experience and we benefit from a semester in one of the best universities in the world.

Did the programme meet your expectations? It is an enriching experience. It allowed me to consolidate knowledge gained in college and increase of knowledge in the energy sector, an area in which I work and where can I apply the know-how every day.

How do you see your employability improving, both in Portugal and abroad, due to this programme? The energy area is becoming more critical and to have expertise in this matter is an advantage. Someone with this know-how can apply it to companies in the industry, consultants, government agencies or any company whose business is impacted by the decisions at the level of environmental and energy policies.

 

Pedro Antunes
Management Consultant, Portugal
The Energy MBA 2010/2011

Why did you choose the ISCTE Business School’s Energy MBA? The course introduces itself as something more than a simple MBA for three reasons: interesting academic competences, a strong connection to the business world, and in importance of the sector.  This allows me to acquire skills and knowledge in an area essential to any economy and the opportunity to spend a semester in one of the most dynamic cities in the world, in an Ivy League environment.

Did the programme meet your expectations? It has exceeded my level of expectations, not only at the level of acquired knowledge and skills, but also in the level of the other students.  It is noteworthy that some courses are taught by managers, administrators and regulators, which offer different points of view.

How do you see your employability improving, both in Portugal and abroad, due to this programme? The range of companies that may be interested is large: consultants, electricity companies, NGOs, companies with energy related products.  As the skills taught are unique I believe that employability is high, both in Portugal and abroad.

 

Silas Harbo
Economist, Denmark
The Energy MBA 2010/2011

Why did you choose the ISCTE Business School’s Energy MBA? The Energy MBA offers an excellent combination of general training with specific modules in Management of Energy, to supplement my basic training in economics. Portugal has an innovative energy sector, which was also attractive. The partnership with Columbia University convinced me of the high academic standards.

Did the programme meet your expectations? For me, the return of an MBA is calculated in terms of mobilizing efforts. In this case it offers a wide variety of subjects, with teachers willing and able to link up their areas. I was impressed with the diversity of executives who were introduced to us.

How do you see your employability improving, both in Portugal and abroad, due to this programme? I presented the MBA to different companies in the energy and consultancy fields, in Denmark, and they appreciated the skills that I acquired and urgently need them. I think it greatly improved my chances of getting an interesting position in the industry.

 

Tiago Fernandes
Tax Consultant, Portugal
The Energy MBA 2010/2011

Why did you choose the ISCTE Business School’s Energy MBA? I had found a similar course in Norway, however, the costs involved and lever of professional benefit were, in my opinion, inferior to The Energy MBA. The involvement of companies and entities such as EDP, REN, ERSE and CA gave me assurances that it would be linked to business needs and would not be too academic.

Did the programme meet your expectations? It’s not easy deciding to trade a stable job for an MBA programme. The programme responded and adjusted to our feedback.

How do you see your employability improving, both in Portugal and abroad, due to this programme?  Right now, I look at the job market as global. Obviously Portugal is my country and I would like to stay here to work; however, if this is not possible, I will relocate elsewhere without much pessimism

 

James Wood
Insurance Broker, United Kingdom
The Energy MBA 2010/2011

 

Why did you choose the ISCTE Business School’s Energy MBA?The Energy MBA offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between management and engineering disciplines, through exposure to two international market leaders in the renewable energy sector.  It meets the objectives of those who wish to pursue a career in management across the energy sector whilst offering the opportunity to attend a top university in New York.

Did the programme meet your expectations? From the beginning, both the course content and the quality of the teachers, including industry experts, far exceeded my expectations.

How do you see your employability improving, both in Portugal and abroad, due to this programme?  Despite not having the EQUIS or AACSB accreditations, which undermines the international credibility of the training, the interest of international employers is increased by the involvement of Columbia University.