MIMA: tailor-made training for the automotive business of the future
Mobility Innovation and Management (MIMA) is the name that has been given to the Master’s programme born out of the partnership between Volkswagen Group Italia and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. The highly-specialised course, which incorporates a number of different skill sets, aims to give professionals the training needed to run businesses linked to future mobility.
The programme will consist of 300 full time classroom hours from March to May 2020, with 250 hours of internship intended as a further opportunity to facilitate access to the labour market, and a final thesis. The Master’s programme was designed and developed by the Center for Automotive and Mobility Innovation (CAMI), a research facility of excellence directed by Professor Francesco Zirpoli within the Department of Management at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. The course, which is limited to 20 participants, lasts one year and is taught in English.
Hosted by the Ca' Foscari Challenge School, the course will be divided into six highly interdisciplinary modules: Mobility, Management, Technology, Tools, Opportunities and Experiences, with each module giving the 20 participants the opportunity to develop their understanding of the mobility ecosystem from different perspectives. The programme’s logical and clear structure will encompass all the facets of the business linked to future mobility.
As the main sponsor of the initiative, Volkswagen Group Italia helped develop the study programme and will be an active participant in the lessons, offering participants the opportunity to undertake work placements at the company. The Technology module will also be held at the VGImobilityLab, the area dedicated to innovation training at its Verona headquarters, where a mix of teaching and test drives will be offered in the facility’s 18,000 m2 proving ground.
CEO Massimo Nordio underlines the importance of the partnership: “The transformation of our Group is not just about producing electric-powered models, autonomous driving and developing digital services. It’s a complete shift, reflected in every single thing we do. Investing in training is a cornerstone of our strategy and it is important for us to be Ca’ Foscari University of Venice’s partner for this project, which is the first of its kind”.
The concept of mobility is evolving rapidly, bringing a new managerial direction with it. “It’s clear that the approach typical of the ‘traditional’ automotive industry will no longer be sufficient to run the business - we will need a broader vision, the willingness to make rapid changes and a wide range of skill sets”, adds Nordio.
Volkswagen Group Italia had already understood the need to optimise its own structure back in 2018 when it created the role of Future Mobility Manager, embracing innovation in the area of human resources as well.