PEDAGOGY
Learning environment and technology Yet purposeful teaching can only be e ective if students are taught within a space that complements the approach’s ethos. For example, if we are trying to foster contemplation and creativity, we must provide suitably stimulating environments for this. To keep students engaged and invested in their education, the manner in which we deliver interactive and experiential learning is also important. As such, Polimi has been using digital innovation to enhance the learning experience for several years now. In 2022, Polimi Graduate School of Management opened a new campus at the heart of Milan’s creative and cultural district of Navigli. Its design centres on interactivity and blends the use of technology with physical space. We believe that these new classrooms meet the needs of students who are becoming increasingly aware of how digitalisation will be a constant current within their careers, while simultaneously supporting our aim of developing purposeful thinking. Indeed, all programmes at Polimi are being updated continuously to keep pace with the rapid changes taking place in technology and business, with digital learning used throughout the MBA to enhance students’ experience and overall outcome. Artificial intelligence (AI), for instance, continues to transform all aspects of education and the school’s Flexa platform means that our use of the technology is well-established. This AI-infused career coaching tool allows us to educate and communicate with our students and alumni and, since 2020, it has also been made available to professionals outside our immediate network. This is a key development for those who are seeking to upskill during times of technological innovation within their organisations. Developed in partnership with Microsoft, Flexa allows participants to decide where and how they would like to access their personalised learning path. This can be anywhere in the world and with the use of any device. After an initial assessment that evaluates areas where an individual can improve their skills, Flexa uses AI to create and suggest personalised training courses for each user. Participants then have access to an ecosystem of around 800,000 pieces of learning material, including self-paced digital courses, webinars, podcasts, articles and case studies. By using this tool, professionals can therefore ensure they stay up to date and develop their technical skills over time.
The school’s digital learning platform, meanwhile, enables its students to attend the first month of their programme remotely as an alternative to being on campus. We find that this helps some of our international students to settle into life in Milan. Through the platform, students can also access recorded video content, attend live sessions and interact with other students. Practising what you preach Purposeful teaching does not end at graduation. At Polimi, we believe that upskilling and lifelong learning are key to sustaining a long and meaningful career. Through the provision of Flexa alongside all programmes at the school, our students are guaranteed personalised mentoring during and after their studies. However, for a business school to be truly purposeful, it must look further than the teaching approach and environment it o ers. It must also ‘walk the talk’ and demonstrate its authenticity in contributing to a more sustainable, equal society. Today’s students are looking for schools that practise what they preach and are choosing to study at institutions that prioritise sustainability and social responsibility. For this reason, Polimi Graduate School of Management pursued B Corp Certification and, in 2020, became the first European business school to achieve it. This designation is currently held by around 6,000 organisations across more than 80 countries and speaks to a business’ ability to meet certain standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Being a B Corp business school gives us the chance to partner with an international community of companies around the world that really care about their social and environmental impact. This is a hugely beneficial network for everyone connected with our school to be a part of and reinforces our dedication to purposeful education. I believe that we have a responsibility to prepare our students to not only be successful in business, but also truly understand their own selves and values. Individuals who are aligned with their inner purpose go on to have a greater impact on society, so business schools must facilitate and inspire students’ paths towards finding meaning and direction. This will allow them to see their education’s relevance in the broader context of their lives and the world around them. The world is changing, so we must change with it.
BIOGRAPHY
Federico Frattini is dean of Polimi Graduate School of Management, Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Frattini is also a professor of strategic management and innovation at the school and a member of its management committee. His primary contribution to management research is in the field of open innovation
Ambition MAY 2024 | 23
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