The 4th annual EBS Summer School on Digitalisation and Sustainability, a key event for emerging leaders in management, took place this year in both Tallinn and Helsinki. The programme, hosted by the Estonian Business School (EBS), brought together 75 participants from across four continents.
Participants, primarily master’s students in management, along with doctoral candidates and professionals, represented a wide range of countries, including Moldova, Switzerland, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Kenya, South Korea, Luxembourg, Romania, Germany, Finland, and the USA. Online attendees connected from Moldova, Ukraine, Uganda, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan.
A significant portion of the programme was hosted at EBS in Tallinn, where participants engaged in intensive workshops, lectures, and collaborative projects. The summer school featured 20 distinguished speakers from prestigious institutions such as the European Commission, Nordic Investment Bank, Johns Hopkins University, Arizona State University, PwC Helsinki, SolarSPELL, Sunly, Utilitas, Fermi Energia, Startup Wise Guys, and the Foresight Centre at the Estonian Parliament.
The curriculum was designed to delve into the critical intersections of digital transformation and the green transition, with a particular focus on sustainable finance and AI. Sessions explored how these areas can be mutually reinforcing, offering practical solutions through real-world business cases. Participants also had the opportunity to tackle conceptual issues in sustainability and digitalisation, gaining insights that bridge theory with practice.
EBS Rector, Meelis Kitsing, who also served as the chief organiser, highlighted the unique approach of the Estonian Business School: "At EBS, we believe in integrating digitalisation and sustainability into concrete business models that make sense for companies. Our focus during this Summer School was not only on the big picture—looking at EU and global perspectives—but also on practical case studies from businesses around the world, including those from Estonia. This approach reflects our broader mission at EBS, where we combine teaching, research, and investment activities to foster innovation and entrepreneurship." He also emphasised the importance of the social aspects of the summer school: "Events like these are crucial for building both bonding and bridging social capital. I encourage all participants, especially those from diverse international backgrounds, to connect, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships that will help them advance in their careers."
In conclusion, the EBS Summer School was a multifaceted programme that not only delivered in-depth knowledge on digitalisation and sustainability but also served as a crucial platform for participants to build valuable international connections, potentially leading to long-term collaborations. With its forward-looking approach, the Summer School set the stage for future events, particularly the next EBS Summer School scheduled for August 2025, which will continue to delve into these important themes. EBS's ongoing commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, as demonstrated through this programme, underscores its position as a leading educational institution that successfully integrates teaching, research, and practical solutions within a global framework.
The 5th EBS International Summer School on Digitalisation and Sustainability will take place on August 11-15, 2025.
The nature and focus of next year's program will be similar to our 2024 programme. It will focus on digital transformation, green transition and sustainable finance as well as on AI development and deployment.
Keynotes and main speakers will be announced in January 2025. We hope that you will join us next year!
Feel free to contact us with any questions that you might have at summerschool@ebs.ee
