Partnering with global operator SKEMA Business School (School of Knowledge Economy and Management) in France, the new venture will open early 2013 and stands to increase the global reach of both education institutions. It represents a new venture into Europe for ELS.

SKEMA has three locations in France as well as one in the USA and one in China. ELS operates a significant network of campus-based centres and its latest school will be on SKEMA’s Sophia Antipolis campus near Nice.

“We feel this is a very high quality institution and one that has a very global perspective,” Mark Harris President and CEO of ELS told The PIE News. “Its programme of education is uniquely global and we feel we can bring a lot to their recruitment process.”

Harris said SKEMA aims to increase its international enrolment from 35% of students to 45% of students in the next five years and has turned to ELS to help enhance its international enrolment.

SKEMA aims to increase its international enrolment from 35% to 45% of students in the next five years

The business school is a part of France’s Grandes Ecoles system and according to The Financial Times 2011 rankings, it is rated the 9th best Master in Finance in the world. It offers five Bachelor, 14 Masters and 2 Doctoral degree programmes taught in English.

Its range of curricula includes programmes in luxury and fashion management; entrepreneurship and innovation for a sustainable world; international business; and financial markets & investments.

ELS expects to attract students from the Middle East, former Soviet Republic Countries, Russia, and East Asia, particularly China and Korea. Simon Gooch joins ELS as Director of Recruitment and Partner Support, ELS European Pathways.

This is the first step in a European expansion plan as ELS seeks to take advantage of the high level of student mobility in the region.”We would be looking for selective institutions, like SKEMA; ones that are engaged in delivery of post-graduate programmes in English,” said Harris.