Nicolás Majluf, Visiting Professor at MIT and M.Sc. in Operations Research from Stanford University

Nicolás Majluf, Renowned Scholar from the MII:

"THE MII IS A SABBATICAL FOR REFLECTION, ANALYSIS AND PERSONAL GROWTH"

Brief

Nicolás Majluf holds a Ph.D. in Management from MIT and a Master’s in Operations Research from Stanford University. He is a Civil Industrial Engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) and an Emeritus Professor at its Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Majluf also serves as a consultant and board member for several companies, focusing on strategic management and executive leadership.

He has been a visiting professor at MIT, UCLA and IESE Barcelona. Majluf has co-authored several works with MIT professor Arnoldo Hax and is widely cited for his article on asymmetric information, co-written with MIT’s Stewart Myers in the Journal of Finance.

The new Master's of Industrial Engineering (MII), organized by the corresponding department at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, has its roots in the prestigious International Seminar, which has been a landmark in management excellence in Chile for the past eighteen years. Nicolás Majluf, discusses this exclusive program: a space to structure knowledge and submit it to the scrutiny of management scholars.

1. What fundamental factors drive the creation and development of the MII?

First and foremost, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering aims to contribute to the improvement and development of management in our country, as it is a way to enhance growth and well-being in Chile.

Another driving factor for the MII is directly related to the concept of continuing education. In other words, knowledge in all fields is becoming outdated very quickly, and executives, regardless of their specialty, must make significant efforts to stay up-to-date. Therefore, the MII also serves as a way to facilitate the ongoing professional development of management professionals in the country, ensuring they remain relevant and well-informed. 

2. What qualifications should a professional have to enter the MII?

The MII is designed for individuals who, while in middle management positions, have demonstrated strong capabilities and immense potential as executive leaders. These are individuals whom organizations want to groom and project into senior leadership roles.

Since management applies to a wide variety of industries, professionals can come from diverse backgrounds and both public and private institutions, with or without a profit motive.

3. What are the main advantages that distinguish the MII and make it a top-tier program?

First, it is composed of an outstanding faculty trained at some of the best universities both domestically and abroad, offering students a rich variety of content and diversity in the courses provided.

The MII uses different teaching methodologies, including lectures, case studies, skill development workshops, and the completion of an integral project (which essentially serves as a consultancy for the student’s company).

Moreover, students are immersed in a university environment, fostering close relationships with their professors and having access to the resources available to all university students. This allows them to balance their schedules with a full-time job comfortably.

4. Why would you recommend professionals join this innovative and exclusive program?

Basically, because professionals who have been working for a few years and are preparing to take on greater responsibilities within their companies need a sort of "sabbatical" — time for reflection, analysis, and personal growth. They need the opportunity to submit their ideas to the scrutiny of others, such as the program’s professors, who are experts and scholars in management.

5. What do students ultimately gain from joining the MII?

They prepare for greater responsibilities and acquire deeper learning. To achieve this, having work experience, no matter how enriching, is not enough. One must also reflect on that experience, structure the knowledge gained and subject it to the scrutiny of individuals capable of challenging our way of thinking and understanding management topics.

EXPERIENCES IN THE MII

"I joined the MII for three powerful reasons: the need for a master's degree that stood out from the rest of the MBAs, the quality of instruction at the Pontificia Universidad Católica’s School of Engineering, and, lastly, the immense respect and tradition that the university holds.
The MII provides powerful tools to succeed in any area of management, both in Chile and abroad."
— Roberto Ecclefield, Civil Industrial Engineer, PUC

"The MII offered me a clear solution for professional development, updating and expanding my knowledge of global business management while covering process phases essential for a comprehensive understanding.
Moreover, it’s important to highlight the excellence of the teaching staff and the high professional and human caliber of the study group.
Additionally, the class schedule is designed to minimize disruptions to work and family life."
— Juan Barceló V, Economist, University of Buenos Aires (UBA)

"I chose the MII as a complement to my professional experience because it provides top-tier management tools for my personal development. In this sense, studying at the Pontificia Universidad Católica was my first choice, given the trust instilled by its history, faculty, and the quality of its students."
— Jorge Díaz R, Business Engineer, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez