In our time, events succeed each other at a rapid pace, and conditions in labor market they are constantly changing. fourth industrial revolution and digital transformation cause lasting and intense changes. New models of business organization and management are changing the characteristics that business leaders should have, pushing higher education programs closer to the labor market.

Sustainable business development is associated not only with the professional development (upskilling) of employees, but also with retraining (reskilling) at various levels. At the same time, more than ever, the leadership qualities that employees should have are emphasized.

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) Postgraduate Program in Business Administration – MBA of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, responding to the demands of the times, focuses on the tripartite “Applied knowledge, leadership abilities and skills”, along with interaction with the labor market, offering its students the qualifications they need to be efficient and competitive in the labor market.

However, the difficult working conditions that today’s leaders face and the limited time they have make it difficult to master educational programs.

Weekend, distance and live courses, synchronous and asynchronous study, face-to-face study (3 semesters) or part-time (up to 6 semesters) are some of the characteristics of the University of Athens MBA that offer flexibility in study and create ideal conditions for students to choose a combination. which meets the needs of their own daily life. At the same time, four study options (in addition to the general MBA, specializing in a) health care management, b) banking and insurance management, and c) accounting) allow interested individuals to focus on the industry of interest to them.

Universities, and especially EKPA, are in the process of increasing their extroversion while strengthening their connection to the labor market in various ways. The extraversion of the University of Athens MBA is reinforced by partnerships with senior executives and business associations who want to develop new talent.

On this basis, we work with important CEOs and CEOs of companies that play a critical role in the business arena. Vassilis Apostolopoulos (Athens Medical Group), Theodosius Michalopoulos (Microsoft Greece, Cyprus and Malta), Evangelos Mytilineos (Mytilineos-Energy & Metals), Alexandros Sarrigeorgiou (Eurolife FFH), Kostanza Sboku-Konstantakopulou (Phāea Resorts), Melina Travlou (Neptune Lines) ) ), Theodoros Trifon (ELPEN SA), Vassilis Fourlis (Fourlis Group) and Vassilis Hatsikos (Siemens AE) are members of our Advisory Board (Athens University MBA Advisory Board), with whom we discuss the ever-changing conditions in the business world.

Applied knowledge, leadership and skills are the answer to the shortage of talent in the labor market.

In an effort to further connect with the labor market and create better employment prospects for our graduates, we also cooperate with the Hellenic German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Hellenic Insurance Companies Association (EAEE) and the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Industry Association (PEF). .

In addition, in cooperation with the EKPA Executive Education programs, we are implementing a professional development program. Our students, through their MBA studies at the University of Athens, develop the skills needed in the modern era. Workplace communication skills, creativity and complex problem solving, negotiation skills, digital skills, and employability are the core skills we pass on to our students, not only increasing their performance in the work environment, but also improving their well-being and job satisfaction at the same time. which reduces the likelihood of professional burnout.

The connection of the University of Athens MBA to the labor market, combined with the Applied Learning program as well as the UpSkilling program, provides a partial response to the global talent shortage phenomenon. Talent shortage refers to the phenomenon of a lack of talent in the labor market, talent that is needed in today’s ever-changing world of business, for the development of enterprises and organizations. Education, the production process and the labor market are in a continuous process of transformation, which is currently being carried out at an intensive pace.

In this context, the oldest institution of our country, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), is a pioneer and innovator, hoping for a better and more prosperous future for our country’s education, economy and society.

Mr. Dimitris Balios is Associate Professor, Director of the University of Athens MBA, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Mr. Andreas Papandreou is a professor, member of the Academic Committee of the University of Athens MBA, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.