The Future of Business Schools Debated at the EFMD Deans Conference 2025

On February 13 and 14, CATÓLICA-LISBON hosted the EFMD Deans Conference 2025, bringing together 400 Deans and leaders from the world's most prestigious business schools. Over two days, Lisbon became the stage for in-depth discussions on emerging challenges and future perspectives in management education, in an event marked by knowledge sharing and the strengthening of relationships among leading Business Schools worldwide.

The opening session featured addresses by Eric Cornuel, President of EFMD & EFMD Global Network, Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, and Isabel Capeloa Gil, Rector of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Filipe Santos, Dean of CATÓLICA-LISBON and chairperson of the conference, highlighted the importance of the event for strategic reflection on the future of management education. In his speech, Filipe Santos emphasized the need to challenge conventional thinking and adopt an open approach to the changes shaping the sector, including geopolitical challenges and the advancement of the digital world. He also underscored the importance of integrating new perspectives that go beyond academic and professional spheres, incorporating human and ethical dimensions in the training of future business leaders.

The first day of the event was dedicated to a series of plenary sessions that provided a detailed analysis of the trends and challenges shaping the landscape of management education. The opening session focused on the evolution of business schools, emphasizing organizational changes and the adaptation of curricula to market demands. Steven Braekeveldt, former CEO of Continental Europe Ageas and CEO of Ageas Portugal Group, shared his vision on the need to redefine the identity of business schools, ensuring they keep pace with an ever-changing business environment.

Following this, a plenary session on crisis management in academic institutions took place. This panel explored effective strategies for dealing with internal and external challenges, analyzing case studies that illustrated best practices in institutional communication and conflict management. The discussion featured experts such as Rachel Ashworth from Cardiff Business School, Francisco Veloso, Dean of INSEAD, and Yolande Chan from McGill University, whose insights enriched the debate on the importance of transparency and resilience in critical moments.

The second day focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on management education, addressing its potential to optimize administrative processes and enhance the learning experience. The session included contributions from Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, Dean of the Tepper School of Business, and David Bach, President of IMD, who presented real-world applications of AI in education and academic operations management, demonstrating its significance for the sector's modernization.

Breakout sessions allowed for deeper exploration of specific topics such as the resilience of academic leaders, the involvement of business schools in policymaking, the challenges of geographical fragmentation in higher education, and the reinvention of campus life. Simultaneously, workshops tackled key issues for the sector, including the impact of rankings on educational institutions, the role of faculty in academic transformation, the redefinition of the educational model for the future, and social responsibility in management education.

The conference concluded with a plenary session on preparing for future disruptions, led by futurist Tracey Follows. Her presentation highlighted the technological and social changes that will influence business schools in the coming decades, encouraging academic leaders to anticipate trends and adopt innovative strategies to ensure the sustainability and relevance of their institutions.

Beyond the academic sessions, the event provided a privileged environment for networking and strengthening strategic partnerships. Participants also had the opportunity to explore the city of Lisbon, enjoying social moments such as the dinner at CATÓLICA-LISBON and the closing dinner at SUD Lisboa.

Organized by EFMD Global, the EFMD Deans Conference represents one of the most significant moments for the international academic community in the field of management. The 2025 edition held even greater importance in the context of rapid transformations in higher education and the global job market, consolidating itself as an essential space for knowledge sharing and building a more innovative and sustainable future for business schools.