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IUM: "A Graduate Certificate Is Not an End, But a Starting Point"

by Milena Radoman
Today's technological revolution is having an impact on higher education and overturning teaching
practices. "An institution can no longer offer initial training without offering continued education",
says Jean-Philippe Muller, Director of the International University of Monaco.

The job market is changing and new constant technological progress leading to a
professions are emerging. How do you destructive production process.
adapt your training programmes to reflect
the realities of the job market? You receive hundreds of students every
Once a year, I meet with a number of HR year. 4,000 students have graduated since
directors to discuss the major changes in the the school was founded in 1986, and you
market and identify the implications for our have 300 graduates every year. Have the
training courses. We also bring together a aspirations of these young people changed
council of experts, especially our teachers, to in relation to the job market?
update our programmes. For us the challenge Many students are interested in
is to keep pace with these changes. entrepreneurship. We're a long way from the
The impact of artificial intelligence and days when business school students wanted
robotics is enormous. Today, it is estimated to be product managers or auditors! Today,
that 80% of a project can be replaced by AI... It they want to be start-up entrepreneurs. In fact,
is crucial to identify the remaining 20%, which 15-20% of IUM graduates have set up their own
is beyond the reach of AI but which comes business. Our graduates often have a desire
under the heading of analytical skills. These to change, they don't stand still and they are
are tacit skills, irreplaceable human qualities motivated by innovative projects. In the Sports
that are essential: empathy, resilience and Management programme, the Electric Grand
adaptability. For example, a shopping centre Prix is very popular.
that was having difficulty recruiting sales staff
trialled cashiers for this role. They turned out Do they talk to you more about ecology and
to be highly effective salespeople! the quest for meaning? Have you carried
out surveys/statistics on their motivations?
How are you helping to support these Every student takes part in a project that
changes? has a positive impact, either humanitarian or © IUM Jean-Philippe Muller, Directeur de l’International University of
Monaco / Director of the International University of Monaco
Today, a school can no longer offer initial for climate protection. The message is that
training without offering continuing education. you can't succeed in life if you don't have This is a challenge for HR. Different
It's a change in culture: a graduate certificate a positive impact. The IUM also organises generations coexist in a company. The
is not the end but the starting point. We annual challenges with schools around the problem is that these worlds don't have the
already offer our graduates regular refresher world. The students come up with business same management codes, haven't worked
courses and online certificates on the concepts that make sense. One student's with the same digital tools, and don't even
latest developments that emerge after their project stood out for me: it was to create a share the same social networks (Facebook for
qualification, such as blockchain and AI. In designer orthopaedic prosthesis, stylish and the older generation, TikTok for the younger)...
addition to professional certifications for worn like a fashion accessory. This is a good That's why over and above educational
the banking sector, we also want to offer illustration of a social and inclusive business. content, the school has to teach them about
professionals 12-15 hour modules or short social interaction, working on collective
certificates. Companies can no longer afford What are their criteria for joining a company? projects, and living together.
to let an employee do an MBA for a year. The According to HR managers, teleworking
idea is to add up the skills acquired, like a is a new way of attracting and retaining How many IUM alumni now work in Monaco?
badge system. generation Z talent. 50% of our students do an internship in Monaco.
Another consequence of these changes is that Above all, young people want freedom within 540 alumni work here, mainly in finance and
it is now risky to create a new 5-year course. a company, quality of life and flexibility. yachting. 32 alumni have set up 41 companies
Things are moving so fast... No sooner they Two traditional criteria have fallen by the in the Principality. The IUM offers courses
open, dozens of influencer schools close down wayside: career prospects and pay. At least that reflect the internationally recognised
in China... We wanted to create a compliance for young people coming out of school, after expertise in Monaco, such as private banking
officer degree, but we're going to wait. that it changes... They want autonomy, to and sports business management. It makes
The world is on the move and higher education have responsibilities straight away, even on sense and that's why we have students of over
is facing an unprecedented challenge due to a small project. 70 nationalities.

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