IE University seeks to deepen links between Azerbaijan and global network

Spain’s IE University aims to strengthen Azerbaijan’s connections with its global network of people, ideas and organisations, Executive Chairman for Corporate Relations William Davila said at the opening of the AZEMBA programme of the IE Centre for Leadership and Innovation in Baku.

The programme is supported jointly by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Science and Education, in partnership with SOCAR and IE University, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Report.az quoted Davila as saying the university works extensively with companies, institutions and governments worldwide to develop talent, strengthen leadership and address strategic challenges.

“We help organisations develop their talent, strengthen their leadership, lead transformation, and solve complex strategic challenges. In general, we seek to turn knowledge into impact. This connection between education, research, and the real world is a fundamental part of our identity. Our global outlook has also shaped our geography. Madrid remains the heart of IE, but our ambition has never been limited to Madrid. We have our new IE New York College in New York, a research centre in Brussels, and a centre for leadership and innovation in Riyadh. And just one month from now, here in Azerbaijan - in Baku - we will officially open our new Centre for Leadership and Innovation.”

Davila said the university’s plans in Azerbaijan go beyond bringing programmes from its Madrid campus to Baku.

“We want to build something here. We want to listen, learn, and understand the priorities and challenges of this country and its organisations. We want to develop talent, create knowledge, and work with companies, institutions, and governments. We also want to connect Azerbaijan even more strongly with IE's global network of people, ideas, and organisations. That is why the IE Senior Executive MBA means more than the beginning of an academic program. It is the beginning of a relationship. A relationship between IE and Azerbaijan, global knowledge and local knowledge, academia and business, and above all, between people.”

By Sabina Mammadli