"Aix-Marseille School of Economics,
a school within the university ranked among the
world's top 5% economics departments"
Interview with Carine Nourry
Aix-Marseille School of Economics (AMSE) aims to train the
engineers-economists of the future. Marseille has been home
to world-renowned economists since the beginning of the
1980s, and Aix-Marseille is now one of France's biggest economics hubs. AMSE setting up its facilities in the south-east in
2012 was natural given this context. Carine Nourry,
Director of Studies, speaks about the advantages of this
exceptional school located at the heart of our region.
© Amse-w
> What's different about AMSE's curriculum?
Carine Nourry: AMSE is unique in the Mediterranean region. It's both a department of
Aix-Marseille University's economics and management faculty and a laboratory of excellence
(Labex) selected in 2011 as part of the 'big loan' initiative. Our school is young and trains nearly 200
students per year. AMSE has everything that one of the prestigious higher learning establishments
has, and one of its advantages is precisely that it is a school within the university. It provides holders
of a 'bac+2' degree ('licence 2' degree or approved preparatory class) training for an engineereconomist magister (3-year course) and those with a 'licence 3' degree training for a Masters (2-year
course). The programme can extend as far as 'bac+8' degrees for obtaining the Doctor of Economics
degree. This school within the university draws on two research units (GREQAM and SESSTIM)
and is characterised by:
• small class sizes;
• bilingual instruction;
• financial affordability due to the school's presence in the university;
• top-level training in finance, economics and econometric and statistical methods, provided by
internationally renowned teacher-researchers.
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> This school within the university draws on the "original inspiration of scholars
who shared their knowledge with their students as part of an academic
community mindset", as pointed out by Alain Trannoy, director of the Labex.
Can you tell us more about this?
Carine Nourry: Absolutely. The interpersonal and trusted relationships that we develop with
the students allow us to maintain a specific approach and decompartmentalise research and
instruction. This "school" environment truly enables this decompartmentalisation and bolsters the
conditions for success. As well as creating an academic community, we strive to stay close to
businesses by training economists who understand the environment they're in and are able to
anticipate its challenges. Each of the specialities in which our students are trained provide access
to professional or academic careers.
The "Professions Day of 17 October 2014" held by AMSE:
students meet with Laurent Pouquet (President of Quadrat© Patrick Gherdoussi
Etudes, trained economist) for an interactive Q&A session.
> How is the teaching positioned in Marseille? What are the students' profiles?
Carine Nourry: Our teaching team is comprised of 80 teacher-researchers and professional
contributors from businesses and institutions. In January 2015, AMSE was ranked among the
world's top 5% economics departments, which is proof of its quality and excellence. Our students
come from the greater south-east region, other academies and abroad. Our mission is to:
• ensure the excellence of the courses and play a driving role in the magister, masters and PhD
training;
• provide solutions to the needs of businesses and industries by training the future executives
who will be working around the world and continually adapting;
• providing an alternative to needs in the field by developing in our students the ability to analyse
developments and be creative.
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> How does the school boost the region and contribute to its growth?
Carine Nourry: We train the future executives of major companies who will be working
around the world. Like one of our female students, they might become an economist at the World
Bank in Washington, then come back to pass on their expertise. Our commitment to this exceptional
education in Provence is extremely valuable for our region. This shows that the elite and high-quality
education isn't just located in Paris. By being present in Provence, AMSE attracts internationally
renowned teacher-researchers. What we do undeniably benefits the region and businesses.
For example, the correlation between our training programme and the economic development
mission of Provence Promotion is naturally set to grow.
> How does AMSE make the region more attractive and does it attract talents,
particularly internationally?
Carine Nourry: The school is beneficial for the region's attractiveness insofar as it attracts
talents and internationally renowned economists. We hold events that encourage exceptional
researchers to come to Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. Some of our lectures are open to the
general public, and company directors get in touch with us. An attitude of openness to the outside
world is part of our school's DNA, our links with foreign universities demonstrate this. Our students
also have to spend a semester abroad. They are eventually able to work in English.
To find out more: the AMSE website
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Contact publication : Valérie Vernaz