EMLV has signed a new academic mobility agreement with South Mediterranean University (SMU), located in Tunis. This partnership strengthens the Grande École Programme’s outreach to North Africa, with academic exchanges planned from spring 2027 onwards.
At South Mediterranean University, the academic organisation is based in particular on founding schools whose development has helped to structure the institution’s educational offering and international positioning.
A new agreement supporting EMLV’s international strategy
EMLV continues to develop its network of international academic partners with the signing of an agreement with South Mediterranean University (SMU), a higher education institution based in Tunis, Tunisia.
This partnership enriches a network of more than 150 partner universities around the world, in line with the school’s international strategy: to offer challenging academic mobility programmes, integrated into a structured curriculum, within institutions recognised for their academic standards.
Located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, SMU operates in an academic and economic environment marked by strong international dynamics, in line with the objectives of openness promoted by EMLV’s Master in Management – Grande École Programme.
Academic mobility programmes planned from spring 2027
The agreement provides for academic exchanges lasting one or two semesters, accessible as part of the Grande École programme. These mobility programmes will involve both EMLV and ESILV, in line with the cross-disciplinary approach of De Vinci Higher Education, which combines management, engineering and digital technology.
Starting in spring 2027, EMLV students will be able to spend a semester on academic exchange at SMU. The courses taken in Tunis will be integrated into the academic programme, with recognition of the credits obtained, thus maintaining the pedagogical coherence of the curriculum.
This mobility format is part of a progressive international programme that does not extend the duration of studies, while ensuring a structured academic framework.
The Mediterranean School of Business, a founding pillar of SMU
The Mediterranean School of Business (MSB) was the first school to be founded within South Mediterranean University. Created in 2004, it began its activities with a part-time Executive MBA programme designed to meet the needs of senior executives facing rapid technological and organisational change.
The courses were taught by professors from renowned international academic institutions, including MIT, the University of Chicago and the University of Maryland.
The first Executive MBA class brought together 43 executives from a variety of economic sectors and nationalities. Today, the programme has more than 900 alumni representing 37 nationalities, reflecting its international reach.
In 2011, MSB expanded its academic offering with the launch of undergraduate and Master’s programmes. These courses now welcome more than 1,000 students and have been awarded international accreditations by EFMD and AMBA, attesting to their alignment with international academic standards.
An accredited academic partner integrated into international networks
South Mediterranean University has three major international accreditations: AACSB, AMBA and EFMD, a common foundation with EMLV, whose Grande École Programme is aimed at Bac+5 and confers a Master’s degree.
SMU also collaborates with several French institutions, including IESEG, KEDGE Business School, EM Normandie and Bordeaux INP ENSPIMA, confirming its integration into structured academic networks.
This new agreement is part of a strategy to select partners who share comparable academic standards and a strong international focus.
A strengthened relationship with North Africa
This partnership contributes to diversifying the academic destinations offered in Africa, drawing on a recognised institution.
Tunisia is a strategic location for academic exchanges, combining geographical proximity to Europe with strong regional roots.
For students in the Grande École Programme, this mobility allows them to experience a different academic and cultural context within an international environment, while developing the intercultural skills required for careers with a global dimension.
Mobility fully integrated into the Master in Management – Grande École Programme
Internationalisation is one of the pillars of EMLV’s Grande École Programme. Academic mobility, combined with professional experience abroad, contributes to a progressive career path designed to promote openness and employability.
With this agreement signed with South Mediterranean University, EMLV is continuing to develop an international academic network in line with its positioning: to train managers capable of evolving in multicultural and changing environments.
Find out more about EMLV’s partner universities
This post was last modified on 06/02/2026 15:34