TBS’ Aerospace MBA in India: a valuable and efficient partnership with IIMB

Toulouse Business School’s (TBS) Aerospace MBA in India is a unique programme that offers its graduates a GMAE certificate (General Management Programme for Aerospace and Aviation Executives) from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) at the end of the first year and an MBA at the end of the second. The course allies IIMB’s academic expertise in management (ranked 19th by the Financial Times) and TBS’ aerospace competences which have been built upon since 1999. This unique combination of managerial and technical expertise also represents a step forward in the understanding of European and Indian markets. Airbus, an actor in constant development in India, is associated with the pedagogical aspect.

“India is one of the most dynamic aviation growth markets in the world and Airbus has a significant share of this market. With more passengers flying each year in India and with India’s ambition to grow the Aerospace industry, there is an increasing need for expertise in the aviation and aerospace business. Through this Aerospace MBA we contribute to the local education in the field of aviation. Such initiatives reinforce our commitment to “Make in India” and “Skill India” programmes”, said Srinivasan Dwarakanath, President Airbus Division in India.

With professional backgrounds at well-known national and international companies, the Indian participants have been attending international seminars and conferences, as well as studying academic courses based on peer-to-peer learning.

Participants have also been able to meet their colleagues from the Aerospace MBA taught in France thanks to study trips to Toulouse (France) and for some participants in Seattle as well (United States of America). During their study trip to Toulouse, they visited the final assembly line of the civil aviation aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the premises of ATR and have been able to meet the Aerospace Valley’s executives, a competitiveness cluster in the field of aeronautics, space and embedded systems.

“This brand new and world-class Aerospace MBA program jointly managed by TBS and IIMB has already proven to be successful! This is definitely a thrilling journey for both participants in Bangalore and in Toulouse and for the faculty members of both institutions and the top-level speakers who are sharing their expertise and experience. While Europe and more specifically France is working for decades with Indian in space activities and in aeronautics field (design, manufacturing, services for civil and defense aircraft), the booming Indian market is offering new opportunities to strengthen the bridge between the two markets. We’re all proud and happy to accompany these trends thanks to the support of IIMB Executive Education team managed by Mr. Madan Mohan Raj and to the academic leadership of Prof. S. Raghunath in Bangalore.”, said Professor Christophe Bénaroya, Aerospace MBA programs Director.
As a part of their MBA, Indian Delegates participated in an intercultural awareness seminar, where an Indian Aerospace specialist working in Europe coached them on cultural differences between Indian and European working environments.
Indian delegates also benefit from the two institutions’ support in helping them with their career path.
“India’s first aerospace MBA programme jointly delivered by IIMB & TBS has been a tremendous learning experience for working professionals like me. Their training materials, thought provoking case studies, scholarly lectures by academics, experienced professionals and successful leaders in the aerospace industry are really enlightening. The strong network will be an invaluable asset. For me the aerospace MBA is a runway to achieve my career goals and aspirations,” said Mr. Thirunavukkarasu, an Indian participant on the Aerospace MBA and current Technical Manager at UTC Aerospace.

An experienced cohort for a fast-growing market

The Indian participants have proven to be a very active cohort. Indeed, during their study trip to Toulouse, they organized a conference to introduce the Indian aerospace sector to TBS’ alumni. More than 80 former TBS students, involved in the aerospace sector, participated in the event.

Furthermore, the Aerospace MBA’s first Indian cohort is already working on the creation of an Indian chapter of TBS Alumni.
Over 200 people applied to follow the programme but faculty members duly selected the relevant profiles who finally joined the Aerospace MBA in India. The average Indian delegate has 15 years of experience and comes from a well-known national or international company or institution, such as the Indian Air Force, Air India, Indigo Airlines, Prime Aerospace Middle East, Airbus Group, Tata, Honeywell Technology Solutions, SpiceJet and UTC Aerospace Systems, among others.

Compared to other emerging economies, India has the largest aviation market. Just considering the civil aviation segment, India is the world’s fastest growing market. The country is expected to add more than a thousand aircraft to its civilian fleet by 2030.

TBS is the only business school offering a complete international aerospace and aviation management programme. Benefiting from a dynamic environment and its international reputation, the school’s Aerospace MBA was accredited by AMBA in 2002. Since 1999, this high added-value course has graduated 600 global aviation leaders from more than 76 different countries.

About Toulouse Business School

Founded in 1903 by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Toulouse, Toulouse Business School now has five campuses: Toulouse, Paris, London, Barcelona and Casablanca. TBS offers seven study programs (Master in Management, Bachelor program, Specialized Masters, Masters of Science, MBA programs, Executive Education programs and a CPA for continuous learning). Its mission: To train high-level decision makers from all walks of life and regardless of where they will ultimately exercise their responsibilities; to contribute to advancing knowledge in the major management disciplines through the TBS Research Center.
Its programs are primarily focused on HR, marketing, finance, chartered accounting, consulting and auditing, but without neglecting cultural, humanitarian, and entrepreneurial aspects. As a key player in the Midi-Pyrénées region, Toulouse Business School also offers training in the aeronautical sector (with an Aerospace MBA, an MS in Logistics, Procurement and International Trade, an MS in Air Transport Management, etc.) jointly with partner businesses and schools.
Toulouse Business School is one of the few schools with the triple international accreditation EQUIS/AMBA/AACSB.
The school has a truly international profile, and has signed more than 180 exchange agreements with universities on every continent. There are nearly 75 different nationalities represented on the various campuses.

About the Aerospace MBA

The Aerospace MBA program makes a valuable contribution to the Aerospace ecosystem where professionals, academics, researchers and students come together to share knowledge and experience and build a global network.
Nowhere else in the world could you find such a large number of origins and cultures and so many manufacturers, airlines, service companies, electronics businesses and research organizations, all connected in some way to the aerospace sector. That’s why we attract high-caliber students from all over the world eager to join the program. 

Mission: Develop individuals with high-level executive skills for management and leadership, who will become strategy accelerators and change leaders in a customer-driven global network, all the while being responsible for transmitting high standards and values to their teams.

Objectives: Gather individuals (delegates and contributors) from the aerospace industry and its sub-sectors (aviation, civil aircraft and engines manufacturing, defense and space) so that they share their experience and expertise, develop and deploy a global and international network of future leaders.

Outcomes: Responsible leaders belonging to an international network, able to lead and implement the needed changes to enable their company to cope with the current and future challenges of Aeronautical, Aviation, Space & Defense industries.