2027 EFMD Executive Academy: Europe Stream

Leading with Impact

Face to Face

10 May

- 14 May

Prague,

Czech Republic

anna.jirova@efmdglobal.org

Event details

The EFMD Executive Academy (EA) is a state-of-the-art leadership development programme by EFMD, tailored specifically for academic leaders and managers in business schools. It offers an opportunity to enhance personal and institutional leadership capabilities in today’s higher education landscape.

The programme takes an integrated approach to leadership, structured around three core modules:

Leading oneself: The journey begins with introspection. Participants engage in self-assessment to uncover their personal leadership style, identify strengths, and discover areas for growth. This foundational module builds the self-awareness essential for effective leadership.
Leading others: This module focuses on strategic leadership, team inspiration, and driving innovation. Participants learn how to lead high-performing teams and foster a collaborative culture within their institutions.
Leading programmes and institutions: The final module addresses the real-world challenges facing higher education today. Special emphasis is placed on digital transformation, societal impact, and the shifting dynamics of management education.

Throughout the Executive Academy, participants gain access to advanced leadership tools, practical frameworks, and peer insights. They refine their leadership purpose, strengthen their ability to influence stakeholders, and align their strategies with institutional missions, all while building the confidence to lead transformational change.

The Executive Academy journey is divided into three phases:

Individual preparation: Online, self paced phase that includes targeted self-study and a 360° feedback assessment to set the scene for the learning journey.
Face-to-face week: Held in Prague, this high-impact week brings together a select group of no more than 20 international participants, encouraging knowledge exchange and deep learning.
Capstone activity & Executive coaching: Participants advance on their Capstone projects at their home institution, supported by feedback from peers and individual sessions with experienced coaches.

Target group

Programme Directors, Associate/Assistant Deans of Teaching & Learning, and Senior Program Managers with a complete overview of (though not necessarily direct responsibility for) the entire academic cycle: admissions, programme design & administration, career services, and alumni management.
For each stream intake, the EFMD Executive Academy also seeks to accept managers of corporate universities or executives of corporate talent management departments to cross-fertilise group learning. Corporate participants can improve their understanding of and their ability to interact with business schools.

Learning objectives

Demonstrate enhanced self-awareness and emotional intelligence through critical reflection, feedback analysis, and evidence-based leadership practices.
Apply theoretical and research-informed frameworks to improve decision-making, resilience, and adaptive leadership in complex organisational settings.
Critically evaluate approaches to leading and motivating others, fostering collaboration, trust, and innovation within academic and institutional teams.
Integrate strategic management, digital transformation, and change leadership concepts to design and implement effective institutional initiatives.
Understand and implement disruptive strategies in business education and map performance metrics to actions and milestones.
Engage in peer learning and cross-cultural exchange to broaden global perspectives and contribute to collective knowledge within the management education community.

Credentials

Upon successful completion of the Executive Academy, participants receive a digital Certificate of Completion issued by EFMD, fully verifiable and shareable online. The certificate recognises their commitment to professional growth and their contribution to advancing leadership excellence in management education.

Additional Information

Application process:

A rigorous and challenging admission process ensures that peer-to-peer interaction in the EFMD Executive Academy will be meaningful and ability-enhancing for all participants.

Please fill out and submit the application form below.
Your application will be reviewed by the EA Director.
You will be interviewed during a 30-minute call with the EA Director.
Upon completion of the steps above, the EA Director will submit the recommendation for your admission.
Upon admission, we will ask you to register for the event via a link to a registration form that we will email to you.

The EFMD Executive Academy journey overview

Unable to attend this edition but interested in the future ones? Select “Keep me informed” to stay updated.

Additional information

Online preparatory phase (5 April – 7 May)

An online, self-paced preparatory phase designed to set the stage for a meaningful learning journey. During this time, participants complete a series of guided self-assessments, including a 360 feedback, readings, and reflective exercises that help to clarify their leadership goals and understand their personal and institutional context.

Residential week (10 – 14 May; Prague, Czech Republic)

During this intensive module, participants engage with thought-provoking sessions led by experienced faculty and industry experts, exploring the latest ideas in leadership, innovation, and transformation within the context of management education. The residential setting also supports connections among participants, creating a community of peers who challenge, support, and inspire one another. By the end of the week, participants leave with renewed energy, practical insights, and a shared sense of purpose to drive meaningful change within their institutions.

Capstone project phase (14 May – 14 June)

The experience culminates in the Capstone Project phase, where participants apply their insights to a real strategic challenge within their institution. Over the course of four weeks after the residential module, participants design and prepare an implementation plan that translates learning into action, drawing on the tools, frameworks, and peer perspectives gained throughout the programme.

Executive coaching (until 14 June)

During the last phase, each participant also engages in an individual coaching session to address key themes and personal leadership challenges that emerged during the programme.

Additional information

Beyond the formal sessions, the Executive Academy places strong emphasis on building meaningful professional relationships. Through shared informal experiences outside of the classroom, participants connect across disciplines, roles, and geographies. These interactions often spark enduring professional ties and collaborations that extend well beyond the programme itself. The resulting community of practice becomes a valuable source of support, insight, and inspiration for leading change within one’s own institution.

Those who register for the Executive Academy are invited to join dinners on Monday, 10 May and Thursday, 13 May 2027.
Participants will also be invited to join a special social programme on Tuesday 11 May and Wednesday 12 May 2027.

Registration fees

Early bird fee until 1 December 2026 included

3500€ (+ 21% VAT) members of EFMD
4000€ (+ 21% VAT) non-members of EFMD

Registration fee as of 2 December 2026

4000€ (+ 21% VAT) members of EFMD
4500€ (+ 21% VAT) non-members of EFMD

Late fee as of 6 April 2027

4500€ (+ 21% VAT) members of EFMD
5000€ (+ 21% VAT) non-members of EFMD

Discounts are available for:

New members of EFMD
EDAF institutions
Institutions cooperating with EFMD through International projects

For more information, please contact Anna Jirova.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations must be confirmed in writing. If EFMD is notified of your withdrawal by 29 March 2027, an administrative cancellation fee of 100€ + 21% VAT will apply. After this date, we regret that no refunds can be issued. However, substitutions are allowed at no additional cost, provided EFMD is informed of the substitute’s name, title, and address. Event fees are not transferable to other EFMD events.

Please note that if payment (or proof of payment) is not received by 3 May 2027, your name will not be included in the participants’ list.