[Promotion & Admissions France]
5 Questions with... Alexandre Biesse

From the “MEETING’UP – Special Prépa” Tour to the organization of the School’s Open Days, Alexandre Biesse, head of the department, discusses his team’s key missions and the new initiatives designed to position Clermont School of Business as a major player in the world of Grandes Écoles.

What are your department’s main missions, and how do they enhance the School’s visibility and appeal?

Our department is structured into two main divisions. The “Promotion” division focuses on promoting our brand and training programs to target audiences across France, while the “Admissions” division manages selection days, ensuring strict compliance with recruitment processes.

The combined efforts of these two divisions, supported by communication initiatives, have enabled us to attract approximately 5,200 candidates, welcome 1,700 for oral exams, and enroll 750 new students for the 2024 academic year.

Our department also benefits from the support of the student association Go2c, which consists of about 40 student ambassadors. These trained ambassadors play an essential role in informing and advising prospective students and their families about academic pathways.

Among the traditional activities you carry out each year — such as participating in fairs and forums or organizing Open Days — which ones do you think are the most effective in reaching prospective students?

Among our annual activities to engage future students, we’ve identified two key types of initiatives: “OUT” operations and “IN” operations, each offering specific advantages for promoting the School and its programs.

OUT operations include attending forums at schools, participating in career fairs organized by educational specialists, and giving presentations in classrooms. These allow us to connect with audiences who may not yet be familiar with our School and introduce them to the world of business schools, highlighting the strengths of our campus and programs.

IN operations provide prospective students with an immersive experience within the School, such as “immersive classroom” sessions or mini-conferences on current topics like artificial intelligence or sustainable luxury. These initiatives spark the interest of high school seniors or BTS/CPGE students and align with our faculty’s areas of expertise.

Finally, our Open Days are a highlight for prospective students and their families. They allow visitors to discover the School firsthand, meet professors, students, and staff, and experience the campus environment. This immersive experience helps young people and their families envision life at the School and determine if it aligns with their expectations.

This year, you’re introducing a new initiative with the “Preparatory Class Tour” alongside the School’s General Director. Could you tell us more about it?

The MEETING’UP Tour – Special Prépa, organized in November and December with Richard Soparnot, aims to strengthen connections with the preparatory class network (students and teachers) while introducing our Grande École Program. It’s also an opportunity to discuss our recent developments, such as the School’s rebranding and campus expansion, and present two innovative financial aid measures for students from preparatory classes.

The November MEETING’UP Tour for CPGE students consists five full days and visits to nine cities across France!

What are the key points you’re emphasizing this year to leave a lasting impression on prospective students, and how do these set your School apart in a competitive environment?

Some key innovations for the upcoming academic year include:

• A standout addition for the upcoming academic year is the launch of a new “Media & Journalism” specialization within our Bachelor’s program. Delivered in a work-study format, this program is offered in partnership with ESJ Pro, the journalism training subsidiary of the Centre France – La Montagne group.
• Ambitious financial aid measures for preparatory students with scholarships (more informations on December 4).
• A mobility scholarship for inter-campus travel, enabling students in their first year of the Grande École Program to spend their second semester at one of our international campuses in Beijing or Marrakech. This initiative facilitates access to enriching intercultural experiences.

Beyond promotion, what values and messages do you aim to convey to students during your interactions?

In our interactions with prospective students, we go beyond simply promoting our programs, we aim to convey strong and distinctive values. These values are centered on four fundamental pillars:

• A human-centric approach, emphasizing accessibility and close connections with teams.
• A strong regional presence, paired with international reach.
• A commitment to sustainable management practices.

Our team is dedicated to providing personalized guidance, meeting students directly, showcasing the School, and sincerely advising them to ensure their educational choices align with their aspirations and needs!