My DBA Journey at ESGCI

So, I started my DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) at the Ecole Supérieure de Gestion et Commerce International (ESGCI) through UpGrad. The program so far is structured, and the curriculum focuses on research. The program consists of two phases, the foundation (6 months) include lectures in Introduction to Doctoral Research, Literature Review, Data Collection, Qualitative Methods, Quantitative Methods, and Access to Data; and the second phase is the dissertation (6 months to 2.5 years). They don't teach business knowledge, only business research. The program comprise of asynchronous and synchronous learning modes. Every weekend, we have 1.5 to 3.0 hours of live lectures through the UpGrad platform, similar to Zoom. There will be an immersion in Paris at ESG's campus, but assume this is for oral defense only.

The June 2023 cohort has about 30 students from the United States, Canada, the UK, France, India, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, etc. We also created a WhatsApps group outside of UpGrad platform to collaborate with each others.

So far, these professors are teaching the program, but there will be more.

Josse Roussell, Ph.D. from Université Paris Dauphine - PSL (head of ESCGI and Paris School of Business' DBA programs)
Cory Scott, Ed.D from University of La Verne
Alan Roper, Ed.D from University of San Francisco
Raveendran Narasimhan, Ph.D.
Sonia Bendimerad, Ph.D from Université d'Angers

 

I try not to follow the conversations around this stuff too closely, so forgive any ignorance or redundancy on my part.

Is this school recognized to award the DBA? According to a page on the City Imaginaries website, it is recognized to award two levels (5 and 6) of bachelor's degrees.

 

Honestly, I tried to search for myself about its accreditation for Doctorate program and I could not see it. However, since it is also offering DBA in Luxury Goods in collaboration with the University of San Diego. It is enough confidence for me to earn a degree at ESGCI as I have no desire to teach. I can always apply at somewhere on research Ph.D. degree later.

 

Seems risky to me, but it's your money.

 

The only DBA listed on the school's own site is the Management du Luxe (Luxury Goods) - Bachelor's, Master's and DBA. Their degrees at Level 6 and Level 7 are State Recognized. Doctorates are Level 8 so I take it the Luxury Goods DBA would NOT be State-Recognized. I guess it's a "luxury" degree - fancy appointments, but not that much utility.

Yes - Doctorates are Level 8 meaning a minimum of 8 years of Uni. (16 Semesters) Chart of the French System here:
https://www.campusfrance.org/en/French-degrees-LMD-equivalences

As for TEKMAN's Upgrad collaboration DBA, - not even listed on the school's site. See for yourself. https://www.esgci.com/
See? It's not there.

Can't see how any DBA from here would be State Recognized. From their own blurb, it appears this school has no State recognition beyond a Master's. Possibly, nobody from the State has even seen it. I'm not saying the school's no good - because I think it is rather good. But this degree...problematic - to these old eyes, at least.

 

I think another idea that's been floated here also goes nowhere - that ESGCI is wrapping itself in its parent school's more extensive degree-granting authority, to award its own doctorates. No. I'm pretty darn sure it can't do that. The parent school has its own limits, and so does its "child." I think this idea was mentioned way back in the thread - and it was, I think, something that Upgrad may have told TEKMAN.

I think if somebody said that, to anybody, they were making it up as they go along. Well, at the very least it's a nice, impressive French wall-hanger. I don't have one of those --- yet.

 

It is there: https://www.esgci.com/dba-upgrad-program

You are right, but it is only $8,500.00 it is about the same cost as a certification from SANS. So, it is it okay. I would attend this program if it costs more than $20,000.00.

 

And you're right, too. It is there - just on a different page. I just wonder why they don't show it among all their other programs, here: https://www.esgci.com/ And yes, it's your privilege to spend your money, exactly as you please.

"If you got it, flaunt it." - Flip Wilson

 

I am not familiar enough with programs outside of the United States. For business programs, they have to be AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE as a minimum in my opinion. Some form of programmatic accreditation is important for business programs. Now, if you intend on staying in industry forever and NEVER teaching…maybe less important.

 

ESGCI's parent school has AACSB, AMBA and EFMD programmatic accreditation for its business programs. Unfortunately, those accreditations do not extend to ESGCI programs.

 

I am not at all familiar with educational systems outside of the United States. I’d assume it is great that the parent school has those accreditations but unless it is the parent school in which the degree is earned, it’d be a moot point…at least in my opinion.

 

Exactement!

 

I just realized that I made a typo, I WOULD NOT attend this program if it costs more than $20,000.00

 

Got it. I understand.

 

@TEKMAN Im so interested in your progress. Please continue to keep us updated

 

I wasn't concerned with the money, TEKMAN

(1) Because it's yours, not mine and
(2) Because this $8.5K is pocket-change to you. You've mentioned your income a number of times.

I was concerned with the TIME - something we all have a finite amount of.

This 3-year DBA will require a lot of time. You "told us what you want - what you really really want." And that was a PhD. Not a DBA. And now you're enrolled in one of each -concurrently.

Why would you do that? Can you work on your demanding job, TWO doctoral degrees, have your family life etc. at the same time? Tell us TEKMAN - what's your secret?

 

This is very important !!! Life Balance is important esp if you undertake a PhD

 

This is a common subject with my clients. Work/Life balance is a polarity to manage, but another option is Work/Life integration. This is where the polarity is replaced with work and life being one and the same. No more balancing, no more zero-sum thinking, no regrets. Just living.

Most people do not evolve to work/life balance, and that's just fine. It's not for most. But for those to whom it appeals, it is an interesting take. Currently, my wife is definitely doing work/life balance. I, on the other hand, am firmly planted in work/life integration. See the book Ikigai for a more detailed examination of the concept. (Although I don't know if the authors even refer to it as that.)

 

While (or if) anyone is waiting for Amazon to bring the book, I think this (free) coverage of Ikigai - and how Westerners can work with it, might be worth a look. https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-is-ikigai

And--- there's even Ikigai for PhD seekers.

https://phdandproductivity.notion.site/Ikigai-finding-purpose-in-your-PhD-077ea3a1b7204ca296a778380cd532dc

https://brynludlow.medium.com/what-is-your-ikigai-a-project-planning-worksheet-for-phd-students-7de3fcf1ed42

https://www.indonesiamengglobal.com/2018/01/discovering-my-ikigai-and-my-plan-for-phd/

Interesting: I note the authors of Ikigai have strong Catalan names.

 

Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles. Great names - a proud people. Yeah, I'd be proud if I had one of those.