Kofi Appenteng, President of the Africa-America Institute, at IE Business School graduation ceremony

IE Business School today held the graduation ceremony for more than 800 students of 88 nationalities who have successfully completed International MBA, Global MBA, Executive MBA, Master in Finance, Master in Management, Master in Islamic Finance, Global Executive MBA and Global Master in Finance programs.

The event, held in Madrid, was attended by Kofi Appenteng, President and CEO of the Africa-America Institute, Chairman of the Board of the Ford Foundation and a member of the Advisory Board of IE University. Mr Appenteng focused his speech on the challenges of managing executive teams in a constantly changing international environment.

In addition to heading the Africa-America Institute, an organization set up 63 years ago to foster relations between both continents through dialogue and educational development, Mr Appenteng is Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ford Foundation. He has more than 30 years of experience in the legal profession, investment banking and on the Boards of large corporations worldwide. He has also worked as Senior Counsel at Dentons and Senior Advisor at The Rock Creek Group.

Technological immersion

IE Business School recently presented its five-year strategic plan focusing on technological immersion to revolutionize the learning experience. The institution will invest €50 million in technology and innovation projects applied to education. By 2023 all IE Business School students will be using the WOW Room, the business school’s classroom of the future, receiving training in areas such as artificial intelligence applied to businesses, blockchain, coding, fintech, and cryptocurrencies, among other areas.

In 2001, IE Business School was a European pioneer in committing to the development of online education. Since then, more than 10,000 students have graduated after learning through blended methodology. In 2016, IE launched the WOW Room, which uses artificial intelligence, simulations, big data, robot and holograms, among other resources. IE Business School is now focused on transforming the learning experience through technology immersion projects.