IESE Partners with Japan’s Shizenkan University

In another sign of its growing presence in Asia, IESE has signed an agreement with the newly established Shizenkan University in Tokyo to jointly develop executive education programs in the region.

The agreement was signed by Franz Heukamp, dean of IESE, and Tomo Noda of Shizenkan University at a ceremony in Tokyo.

“I am delighted to announce this special partnership. With the rise of disruptive technologies such as AI, combined with an uncertain global context, innovative ways to develop the next generation of business leaders who can thrive in such a context is a must,” Dean Heukamp said.

In line with both schools´ philosophies, programs will be developed with an emphasis on the humanistic aspects of business leadership. The move further establishes IESE´s commitment to Asia, and, in particular, its deepening relations in Japan, where it opened a permanent office in 2013.

Universities Share Holistic Approach to Leadership

Shizenkan University, based in Tokyo´s Nihonbashi district, will open its doors in August 2018. Like IESE, Shizenkan emphasizes the importance of developing leaders who look at more than just the bottom line. The university´s emphasis on whole-person leadership means its programs will combine traditional aspects of management education with training centered around the values, traditions, philosophies and practices of Japan as well as other Asian countries.

“Shizenkan University´s holistic leadership philosophy dovetails nicely with the approach of IESE. At IESE, we have always stressed the importance of business leaders factoring in to the decision-making process what impact a particular action will have on people both inside and outside the company,” Dean Heukamp said. “Together we aim to help promote a sustainable, positive relationship between business and the world at large.”

Leading executives in Japan – such as Yasuchika Hasegawa, corporate counselor of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company; Seiji Yasubuchi, Visa Japan’s country manager; and Carolina García Gómez, Deputy CEO/Country Manager IKEA Japan – also attended the Tokyo signing.

In addition to supporting the development of executive talent in Japan, through this partnership IESE and Shizenkan aim to build a worldwide platform for dialogue on the future of business education, and how best to shape its future direction.

The two institutions will organize a series of joint conferences and events that bring together leading players within the education world. The first event will take place in June in Barcelona and will re-examine role of business schools in society.