ESMT Berlin and BMW Group launch third year of Change Maker Fellowship

ESMT Berlin and the BMW Group have joined forces for the third consecutive year to offer BMW Group Change Maker Fellowships. These 10 full-tuition fellowships for the ESMT Global Online MBA are aimed at supporting ambitious young professionals with backgrounds in mathematics or technology to drive positive and meaningful change.

The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship continues the longstanding collaboration between ESMT and the BMW Group. Following support for displaced women from Ukraine and young professionals from Central and Eastern Europe, the focus of the 2024 edition will be on digitalisation, aiming to cultivate future leaders with strong tech skills in key countries.

Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Real Estate, and Labour Relations Director, expresses, “At the BMW Group, we are deeply committed to making positive changes in the world. We also recognize that a multilateral and decentralized approach must be taken to achieve this goal. Therefore, I am very delighted that we are partnering again with ESMT to support young professionals. It is our common goal to help them become the leaders we need to shape future individual mobility.”

Jorg Rocholl, President of ESMT, adds, “The integration of technical and business knowledge is crucial to develop leaders capable of addressing the complex challenges of the future, thereby making a significant positive impact on their organizations and society. I am delighted to continue our partnership with BMW Group. With their support, we are able to cultivate the next generation of change makers and innovators.”

The ESMT Global Online MBA, the first completely online program at the international business school, focuses on decision-making, analytics, and innovation. The modular course design allows students to study at their own pace and complete the program in 24 months or take up to five years, with no physical attendance required.

BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship applicants must meet the following criteria:

• ESMT Global Online MBA general application requirements
• Hold an undergraduate degree or have current employment in mathematics and/or technology (e.g., computing, information technology, automation, digitalization)
• Be aged 30 or younger on September 1, 2024
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, or South Africa; those holding refugee status in Germany are also invited to apply.

Applicants will also need to answer the following question: the BMW Group seeks to actively shape the future of mobility; what aspect of a digital future fascinates you the most and why?

The BMW Group currently employs over 9,400 people worldwide in IT & software development, with IT and software hubs established since 2018. With hubs in Germany, South Africa, the USA, Portugal, China, Romania, and India, the company aims to tap into regional talent pools. Hence, the 2024 Change Maker Fellowships will focus on digitalization in select countries within the BMW Group IT-Hub network.