Singapore, 3 December 2012 (Monday) – The Institute of Service Excellence at Singapore Management University (ISES) and the Institute for Strategic Innovation and Services, ESSEC Business School (ISIS) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU strengthens the relationship between the two business universities’ services-orientated research institutes by providing opportunities for more teaching and research information exchanges, as well as for the co-development of executive education programmes and the organisation of international study trips supporting these objectives.
As an initial step under the collaborative framework, ISES and ISIS will jointly develop an executive education programme in the area of service design and innovation, with a roll- out expected in the second half of 2013.
ISES Director, Ms Caroline Lim said, “Both institutes have accumulated substantive research and pedagogical capabilities in services. This partnership is therefore timely for us to draw on each other’s expertise to design and deliver programmes of relevance to the industry in Singapore and Asia.”
The partnering institutes will also leverage on their integral affiliations with the Singapore Management University (SMU) and ESSEC Business School, respectively, to produce holistic programmes with deep-rooted expertise in business and management.
SMU Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs), Professor Rajendra K Srivastava said, “This tie-up with the distinguished ESSEC Business School reiterates our commitment to establish close relationships with top universities around the world and our support for leading edge, world-class research.”
ISIS Director, Dr Xavier Pavie said, “We are honoured to have forged a partnership with the Institute of Service Excellence at SMU, an outstanding institute which epitomises the culture of service excellence in Southeast Asia. This represents a crucial step in our effort to strengthen our foothold in Asia, as ISES will provide us with tremendous insights and expertise on Singapore and the regional markets”.
Ms Caroline Lim added, “ESSEC’s Institute for Strategic Innovation and Services brings to us a pedigree know-how on luxury service management and innovation of the world’s biggest and most valuable brands, so we are very excited to work with such an acclaimed institute.”
The MoU signing was held at SMU between Assistant Professor Marcus Lee, Academic Director of ISES; Ms. Caroline Lim, Director of ISES; Professor Hervé Mathe, Dean of ESSEC Asia Pacific, President of ISIS; and Dr. Xavier Pavie, Director of ISIS. SMU Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs), Professor Rajendra K Srivastava witnessed the ceremony. The agreement is valid for five years and will be automatically renewed every two years thereafter.
