Launch of a MSc in Cluster Management

The Foundation supports the launch of the master's Degree in Cluster Management

On the 14th of November 2013, Reza Zadeh, Executive Director at EFCE, attended the inauguration of the new, EU funded, cross-border French-German Master's Programme in Cluster Management. On that occasion Mr. Zadeh delivered a keynote speech on the most recent European Cluster Policies.

In order to meet the increasing demand for professionals who possess the skills and knowledge needed for competent management of clusters and networks, the Kehl University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and the University of Strasbourg (France) have implemented a joint-program in Cluster Management and Regional Networks. A pioneer and a European reference in the field, the European Foundation for Cluster Excellence naturally accepted to share its insights with the attendees and to give them a taste of its extensive experience in cluster-related competitiveness.

In this new master's programme students are taught modern communication techniques and intercultural management. It focuses on topics in business and competitive intelligence, project, personnel and innovation management, marketing, public relations and European administrative cultures. On successful completion of four semesters in Kehl and Strasbourg, students receive a French-German Master of Science (MSc) degree.

Discussions on future collaboration between the partner institutions in the master's programme and the Foundation are ongoing.

Summer School 2013, Washington D.C.

Washington hosted the 7th edition of the Competitiveness Summer School

The Summer School, organized by the European Foundation for Cluster Excellence, was hosted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with the support of the World Bank (WB).

Between the 7th and 11th of October, Washington D.C. hosted the 7th edition of the Competitiveness Summer School, a meeting point for the most relevant politicians and professionals in competitiveness related work. Project managers, policy makers and economists in governmental bodies from all over the world, had the opportunity to learn more about competitiveness in this Summer School, organized by the European Foundation for Cluster Excellence. It was hosted by the Inter-American Development Bank in coordination with the World Bank.

On this occasion, and in order to build on the skills and topics exposed during previous editions, the School focused on the case studies and materials developed by the European Foundation for Cluster Excellence. The curriculum was specifically prepared to deliver a profound understanding of competitiveness initiatives and their application in economic development policies.

During the week, lectures, speeches and conferences were instructed by some of the most important instructors in this area, coming from different relevant institutions such as Harvard University, the World Bank or the Government of Catalonia. In addition, the Summer School finished with a round-table session with representatives from the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Foundation for Cluster Excellence and Clusterland Upper Austria, in a debate over the question: Can this learning be applied to poor developing and fragile states and regions ? 

Call for Expression of Interest

Last days to submit applications for training in specific modules and inclusion in the Foundation's Register of Instructors

In order to expand the Register of certified instructors in line with the growth in its operation and the number of training courses being delivered, the Foundation has issued a new call for Expression of Interest (EoI).

The specification of that call is more precise than its predecessor as it wishes to identify those who already have in-depth and detailed knowledge in specific areas of strategy and management. The successful candidates will be trained in the delivery of specific cases-studies from a specific module.

Candidates interested in becoming a Foundation Instructor must first successfully complete the training on teaching a specific ECEI case. They would then be qualified to teach that case and as such be included in the Foundation’s Register of Instructors for a specific module of its Train-the-Trainers programme.

Professionals who are interested in the module specific training and having their name included in the Register are invited to submit an application in accordance with the guidelines set-out by the Foundation.

The minimum criteria for selection as a Foundation Instructor

The candidates should fulfill the following requirements:

1. MBA or PhD equivalent.
2. A minimum of 2 years of experience in clusters, strategy or senior management.
3. Extensive experience delivering training at a senior level – ideally from a leading business / management school teaching at executive development or MBA level – those without formal association to a business school, are required to provide documentary evidence of their teaching experience.
4. Experience with case method teaching will be a distinguishing advantage – If not a member of the faculty of a leading business school then the list of cases taught with their dates of delivery should be included.
5. Excellent verbal and written fluency in English as the training will be delivered in English – Ideally a graduate degree from an English speaking university or level C2 in Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.

Deadline
Suitably qualified candidates are invited to send their covering letter and a current CV to the Foundation. Complete applications packs for participation in each training module must arrive in the Foundation’s inbox by 17:00 (CET) Friday 17 Jan 2014.

You may find here complete information on the application process.