The Corporate University is a concept which shakes our perception of education, university, business and its connection to the world.
Why do companies create their own universities? There are various reasons. Is it because the "finished product" of schools suit employers? Is it because school professors and business leaders do not have the same vision of business and/or education? Is it because individuals and the market do not have the same time measure and the need of skills has consequently evolved? Is it because we are really in an era of democratization of knowledge? Knowledge is created everywhere, including in business, and companies must spread this knowledge to their stakeholders.
We must be careful not to accuse that all educational systems are unworthy. They are merely the mirror of our societies. Many nation-states – not only the poor or emerging ones– are heavily indebted, too bureaucratic, and no longer capable of assuming all their educational responsibilities. They lack resources, competent faculty members, facilities, international openness, etc.
The most important reasons in my view are that large companies find themselves confronted with new needs for skills (technological, environmental, cultural, managerial, communication...) that the educational systems are incapable of providing, for many reasons. They are too focused on the past, and not enough on the future of the business. Not all of them have research and development centres like American Universities do.
Looking at the realities of the corporate universities, two major elements stand out for which they are uniquely able to be effective: corporate identity and strategy. They achieve things that can't be otherwise delivered by any other structure, (internal or external) including business schools for example, which are deemed reputable for being the privileged suppliers of CUs. Corporate Universities have a unique added value which is education in the core business of their organisation, regardless of whether the educational system is otherwise good or bad.
In conclusion, let us retain this very important tenet: A Corporate University is not a training center or should not be one. In a nutshell, it is a lever:
- To embody the soul and the identity of the company
- To face complexity and uncertainty
- To implement business strategies
Chairman's Note
For over ten years it has been both my profession and my passion
to link corporate university professionals striving towards the
same goals. Beyond borders, beyond cultures, beyond
continents, GlobalCCU
is the premier truly global network and community of corporate
university professionals.
GlobalCCU puts corporate university professionals in contact
with each other, enabling them to connect with one another physically
and virtually, to share their most innovative practices, questions,
doubts and ideas, and to learn from one another or collaborate
on meaningful projects. This enables them to construct long-lasting
and fruitful trust-based relationships.
The 2008 GlobalCCU Forum was a great way to commence our activities.
However, we have now brought this one step further. Thus
we launch our community platform, designed especially and exclusively
for corporate university professionals. Entitled the Corporate
University Community Platform, or CUCP, it is simultaneously a
specialised Knowledge Centre and a Social Networking tool. With
the CUCP, Corporate University professionals will learn
from one another at a distance! This is what the CUCP promises. Explore
and enjoy our new GlobalCCU website! My team and I have worked
hard to deliver maximum content and value added benefits,
not only for corporate university professionals and corporate
leaders, but for researchers and the general public as well.
Annick Renaud-Coulon
Chairman of GlobalCCU
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