Looking back on some of the most memorable moments of this year’s Master’s Programs
Following a Master’s program at HEC Paris is both an intense and enriching experience. It not only enables you to develop key skills and achieve your career aspirations, but also offers you exceptional opportunities for personal growth and to forge lasting friendships. Now that the academic year has drawn to a close, we look back at some of the inspiring events from the past academic year that makes studying at HEC Paris a one-of-a-kind experience.
Purpose and Sustainability Seminar in Chamonix
Our first year Grande École program students kicked off the academic year with an innovative 4-day Purpose and Sustainability seminar in the Alpine village of Chamonix. The aim of the seminar was not only to give our students the opportunity to see first-hand the impact of global warming, but to also allow them to explore the major challenges the world is facing in terms of ecological transition and global inclusion. By working collectively and drawing inspiration from outstanding speakers the seminar also enabled our students to reflect on their own sense of purpose, the career paths they wish to pursue and on how they can make a positive impact.
Haka celebration
At HEC Paris we like to do things differently. With the Rugby World Cup in France just around the corner, we decided to organize a spectacular haka performance to celebrate the start of the academic year and to welcome all our new students. Orchestrated by professional New Zealand rugby player Joe Edwards, who shared his passion for this traditional dance that epitomizes Māori culture, the haka ceremony was the perfect way to celebrate the energy that our new students bring to the campus and launch the new academic year in a positive and unifying way.
London Study Trip
The new intake of our Master in International Finance and Master in Economic & Finance programs kicked off the academic year with the annual London Study Trip . During four intensive days, our students had the unique opportunity to visit over 45 prestigious financial institutions and exchange with some of our outstanding alumni with successful careers in Finance. This annual flagship event not only provides our students with practical insights into the professional environments they would like to be part of and the challenges that await them but is also a key step in their journey to achieving their career ambitions.
Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation Hackathon
Almost one hundred students from our Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation (SASI) participated in a one-day Hackathon with CMA CGM, the Official Logistics Solutions Partner of Paris 2024. Their challenge was to find ways to make the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games more sustainable. Working in teams, they proposed solutions to minimize the of the Games’ ecological impact and presented their ideas to a panel of experts. All the projects underlined our SASI students’ commitment to sustainability, but the winning project really stood out for its feasibility and originality - a locally sourced short-circuit furniture solution.
HEC Academies
Over a three-week period, the HEC Academies gave hundreds of our students the opportunity to delve into a wide variety of themes and business sectors, sometimes far removed from their daily lives. With subjects as wide-ranging as agroecology, corporate finance, social innovation, and the role of companies in promoting world peace, these seminars enable our students to discover their personal drivers and forge lasting professional connections. HEC Academies not only offer the opportunity to discover new sectors and exchange with inspiring professionals, but they also underline the human and pedagogical commitment of HEC Paris to meet the needs of our fast-changing world.
Open Day and Virtual Open Day
Choosing the right school plays a crucial role helping students achieve their career goals and aspirations. Our annual Open Day for preparatory class and high school provides a unique opportunity to discover the HEC Paris campus, to ask important questions, exchange with alumni to gain insights into the wealth of career opportunities that a degree from HEC Paris opens up, and meet some of our current students who share their experience of student life and the courses at HEC Paris.
We welcome students from all over the world to our world leading Master’s programs. The aim of our Virtual Open Day is to help them choose the Master that matches their personal and professional aspirations. From in-depth presentations on each of our wide range of Master’s programs to information on student life, accommodation, financing and application tips, there really is something for everyone.
Demo Day
Demo Day was the culmination of 11 weeks of innovation during the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad program for students from the MSc X-HEC Entrepreneurs, diverse HEC Paris Master’s programs and some of our partner schools. Their goal being to transform innovative ideas into promising startups. From the initial 46 projects, 10 finalists took the stage to pitch their project before a jury and a captive audience. The jury prize was awarded to Resilient for its project on assessing climate risk exposure across value chains, while the audience prize went to Eledone for their AI agent that revolutionizes interactions with ERP.
Welcoming the candidates admitted to HEC Paris oral exams
For two intensive weeks our campus vibrated to the to the rhythm of the oral exams. The candidates were welcomed and supported by a dedicated team of students in their first year of the HEC Paris Grande École Program. Having successfully passed the same competitive entrance exam the previous year, they are the ideal people to reassure, guide and encourage our candidates, and help them perform at their best. They also organize a wide range of activities and events to help the candidates relax, before and after the exams, and give them a foretaste of the HEC Paris experience, our values and life on our magnificent campus.
Commencement Ceremony
Our graduation ceremony is an unforgettable and joyous moment for all our students and the perfect way to end the academic year. It is the culmination of all the time, energy, and work that they have put into gaining their degree and a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate everything they have achieved with their families and loved ones. A time to reflect on what they have learned, how they have grown and the strong bonds and lifelong friendships they have made along the way. It is not only the end of an enriching human experience, but the beginning of a new and exciting journey - a turning point and a time to think ahead and look to the future.
As one chapter ends a new one begins. We look forward to welcoming our new students in September and ensuring that their journey at HEC Paris will be just enriching, inspiring, and rewarding.