Massamba Thioye
My name is Massamba Thioye and I’m from Senegal. My main goal as a professional is to contribute to society and make a meaningful impact on our planet. And in order to do that, I have to be constantly learning. That said, I earned my PhD in energy systems management, and I am motivated by empowering, purposeful tasks.
"I think teaching is one of the best ways to share knowledge and experience."
Passion, opportunity and impact
Massamba Thioye is passionate about everything he does. In fact, he considers his work and his free time to be intertwined. Currently, he leads a team that focuses on three main aspects: measuring the impact of climate and sustainability actions to assess the effectiveness of such actions; developing ways to incentivize climate actions to encourage more people to take action; and leveraging innovation to save people and the planet. The final aspect aligns with his work as a professor at IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs.
As the Executive of the UN Climate Change Innovation Hub initiative, which was launched at COP 26, Massamba’s role aims to facilitate the use of innovation to serve the best interests of people and the planet. He believes that while science is value-neutral, innovation is not, as it can serve either the best or worst interests. The initiative seeks to identify what is needed to effectively use innovation to serve humanity.
Similar to the student body he teaches, Massamba’s journey to his current role has been diverse. After finishing his studies, he worked as an associate professor in France before returning to Senegal to work in the private sector as an industry director. He later founded his own consultancy firm, which eventually led him to join the team at the UN Climate Change Innovation Hub.
When asked why he chose to teach at IE University, Massamba emphasized that teaching is a powerful way to share knowledge and experiences while also continuously learning from the process. He was specifically drawn to IE University because of its focus on sustainability and innovation.
Passionate about the idea of students learning from each other during class discussions, Massamba believes that there is no specific background required for anyone interested in the Master in International Development program. He encourages students to adopt a moonshot way of thinking, setting their goals based on what is needed rather than their perceived capabilities. He advises students to start with a long-term vision and work backward to identify actions that align with that vision, which is applicable to any field.
Massamba has personally experienced the difference between working on tasks lacking purpose and working on tasks that he can be proud of. And with that, he advises future students to choose a job that they find meaningful, especially as it can lead to passion and empowerment. He would also suggest that students explore materials related to systemic thinking. He believes that systemic thinking is crucial to understand the interconnected and interdependent world we live in and to reinvent ourselves and our relationships with others. Massamba further emphasizes the need for radical collaboration to address challenges like sustainability and climate change effectively, promoting an “I depend on you, you depend on me” mindset.
As a passionate energy systems engineer and leader in the field of climate change innovation, Massamba believes in leveraging innovation for the best interests of people and the planet. His journey and experiences serve as an inspiration to future students interested in making a meaningful impact in the world through their professions.
“I think teaching is one of the best ways to share knowledge and experience.”
