CFVG Promising a Nice Success in Professional Careers

 

On the occasion of CFVG launching its Master in Marketing, Sales & Services (MMSS) program in Hanoi, Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Prof. Bruno Ponson, CFVG’s President of the Board of Directors, about this program.Master in Marketing, Sales & Services) program in HanoiPresident of the Board of Directors,

Marketing is developing fast in Vietnam with the opening of the country and increase of competition in many activities. In 2006, CFVG’s Master in Marketing Sales and Services (MMSS) program was created in Ho Chi Minh City with the active involvement of two major French institutions in management; ESCP Europe and the Sorbonne Graduate Business School (IAE Paris) of University Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne. The program addressed the critical need for qualified managers in marketing, as well as the serious workforce shortage of highly skilled marketing professionals within the increasingly competitive market of Ho Chi Minh City.

 

We have conducted diligent auditing efforts with big companies and banks in Hanoi, where the same issues can be recognized in recent years, especially in banking and finance, retail and mobile phones. Now, the well functioning program in Ho Chi Minh City gives us enough confidence to introduce it in Hanoi.

 

First, given our experience running this programme in Vietnam for many years, our professors are aware of the specifics of Marketing in the country, as well as the main trends and innovations around the world.

 

Second, our partners are internationally well known: ESCP Europe holds the three best world accreditations (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS) and the Paris Sorbonne Graduate School of Management (IAE Paris) belongs to one of the oldest universities in the world, Sorbonne, which is the best in France in Economics and very strong in Management. They jointly deliver the diploma, which is a Masters from the Ministry of Education.

 

Third, the curriculum of the MMSS program is a combination of 14 core modules of 30 hours, 24 hours of lecture with international professors all coming from IAE or ESCP Europe, and 06 focus hours with highly qualified Vietnamese as well as foreign top managers and executives in Vietnam. It’s an interdisciplinary approach to Marketing.

 

Fourth, the program includes a compulsory two week study trip to France with courses delivered within the two partner schools and where many meetings with leading companies are organized.

 

Fifth, the programme is a unique opportunity to join other attending professionals in marketing belonging to very different kinds of companies/sectors. Along with the alumni organization, this promotes networking, key for the professional career.

 

As I said, marketing is developing fast in Vietnam, due to the fierce and growing competition. Companies have to implement more and more marketing tools, such as market surveys, brand communication, and consumer response management. This cannot be done by staff with limited qualifications and experience, but requires well trained people. I am sure that the importance of marketing will increase, and it will become a priority for the winning enterprises. The “marketing spirit” dedicated to the needs of consumers will spread. The MMSS program is able to fill the key positions in companies. Other programs will be needed for sales managers, surveys implementation, benchmarking and consumer statistics.

 

Our PhD program is launched in cooperation with four major institutions in Europe: ESCP Europe, the main partner of CFVG, Paris Dauphine University, University of Strasbourg, and University of Lille. Applicants may come from companies or may be university teachers. They must hold a Masters degree. The first year will be at CFVG for fundamental courses, especially in methodology, and to create a thesis. Courses will be on evenings and weekends, allowing students to continue working. At the end of the year a jury will determine student admission into one of the four schools. Then he/she will have 3 years to fulfil the doctoral dissertation requirements under the guidance of a professor. He/she will be requested to spend around 3 months a year in the school in France. During these 3 years, students will gather at CFVG to follow the progress of their dissertations. The doctoral degree will be granted by the French partner school. We have already signed agreements with the four schools and implemented a doctoral consortium with them. We are waiting for the approval of the Ministry of Education and Training. Applications will be received until the 15^th of August. I think this is a very good opportunity to get a PhD from a high ranking institution, while continuing to work if necessary.