The MBA is a generalist degree in business administration, with a broadening management programme linked to the Aerospace sector and environment, and a minimum of 12 months of full-time study. This programme aims to broaden knowledge, enhance managerial skills, emphasise the international management aspects, and develop a flexible and creative learning process.

The Aerospace MBA programme is market driven, with many aerospace companies directly involved in both education and training, and has a curriculum that is evolutionary and continuously adapted to practical business as well as to academic concerns. The programme focuses on processes with a strong strategic orientation, and deliberately adopts inter- and trans-disciplinary views to prepare participants for the challenges of the complex business world of tomorrow, specifically the Aerospace environment.

Participants are provided with broad coverage of the main fundamental strategic and functional areas in management: Strategic and Core Business, Finance and Accounting, Information Systems and Operations Management, Human Resources Management, and Marketing and Sales. There then follows a complete process approach, covering the key management topics that cut across different functions in the aerospace sector, including Managing Alliances and Partnerships, Managing Corporate Change, Knowledge Management, Supply Chain Management, and Business Process Design. The combination of function and process then corresponds to the typical organisational structure common in the Aerospace sector.

In the second half of the programme, participants are required to carry out an in-company project that aims at putting into practice the knowledge acquired during the first seven months of academic and professional courses. Alternatively, they must carry out research work to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in aerospace management. In order to have a global view of aerospace subsectors, elective courses are offered in Air Transport Management, Defence procurement, Managing Space Industry and Telecommunications, Managing Aerospace subcontractors, and Managing maintenance for Aerospace.

Professional participants come from diverse areas of the aerospace industry (aeronautics, space, airlines, defence) and government ministries. In their various companies and establishments, they occupy different management positions, ranging from Human Resources, Training, Engineering and Operations management, to Research and Development. Some are from non-aerospace industry and wish to integrate after graduation. All appreciate the cultural mix and high standards of the lectures, seminars and conferences, considering the Aerospace MBA a must for any manager who wants to actively play the role of ‘strategy accelerator’ for today’s aerospace companies.

These views are unanimously shared by the participants, and often show the pleasure they derive from sharing their experiences with such a multicultural and multidisciplinary group. The MBA creates a forum for both participants and professionals to develop international networks for their companies.

Author
Uche Okongwu
Aerospace MBA
Academic Director
Toulouse Business School