Something unusual is brewing behind the white walls of Institut Mines-Télécom Business School (IMT-BS). Each month, Director General Herbert Castéran sits down for a recorded tea break—an informal setting with carefully chosen words. The series is called “Le Thé du DG.” And while the warm tones may charm, what’s poured into these cups is anything but idle chatter.
What is “Le Thé du DG” really about?
The title may catch some off guard—especially for those misreading “DU DG” as an academic abbreviation. But the heart of the query touches a novel format conceived by IMT-BS leadership in 2024: a digital video series hosted by Castéran himself, casually dubbed “Le Thé du DG,” or in English, “The Director General’s Tea.”
Launched in March 2024, it serves less as a media stunt and more as a strategic communication platform. In each episode, Castéran addresses the school community: students, faculty, businesses, and prospective candidates. The tone is calm, the content is not. Among the recurring subjects: academic performance, tuition, innovation, and social equity.
A strategic positioning: technology management, candidly
Curriculum meets code
IMT-BS doesn’t identify as a traditional business school. “We’re the management school of technologies,” Castéran told me during our exchange. And this isn’t a tagline—it’s visible from the first week of enrollment.
Every new student participates in a hands-on workshop on generative AI. The goal? Not mastery. Awareness. Critical thinking. That’s further tested through an in-house “IA Fake Festival,” where students use AI tools to create and evaluate fake content.
“It’s not enough to train future managers in leadership and finance. They must understand the biases embedded in the tools they’ll use daily,” shared Castéran, sipping tea under studio lights.
The format may surprise, but the content is grounded—and urgent. Generative AI, automation, digital governance: these themes are more than buzzwords. They frame the curriculum, inform assessment, and shape internship pathways.
Numbers that don’t lie
While “Le Thé du DG” may foreground educational trends, hard metrics speak louder:
- Enrollment growth: +35% student intake in undergraduate programs, +75% in Master 1 stories since 2023 (Headway Advisory).
- Recruitment shift: A strong uptick in candidates from preparatory engineering tracks; 29% from “math spé” backgrounds via the Mines-Télécom entrance exam.
- Affordability: Dubbed “the best salary-to-tuition ratio in France” in the series’ debut episode (YouTube).
The value proposition is drawing attention from sectors beyond the traditional business school orbit. STEM-minded students see IMT-BS not as a detour but as a logical next step.
Managing reputation in the public eye
IMT-BS stands out in another way—it’s one of France’s few business schools under full public governance. That shapes its priorities: equity, inclusion, and academic accessibility aren’t slogans here, they’re performance indicators.
IMT-BS earned top recognition for social openness by both Challenges and Article 1, two institutions known for data-driven rankings. Meanwhile, partnerships with state-owned tech companies like Orange ensure students don’t just learn mobility strategy—they’re staffed into it.
| Strategic Axis | Initiative | Institutional Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Economy | Specialized research chairs | IMT Network |
| Climate Transition | Sustainability modules in core curriculum | UNESCO / ADEME |
| Internationalization | Double-degree expansion | Partner universities across Europe and Asia |
From broadcast to blueprint
The “Tea Talks” aren’t casual thoughtpieces. They’re digestible increments of a broader strategy laid out in IMT-BS’s 2023–2027 roadmap. As per official statements from the IMT Group, the school’s ambitions crystallize around tech-integrated management, public value creation, and global visibility.
If there’s a playbook being written here, it’s less about personalization and prestige, and more about modernization and reach. That may not please every traditionalist—but it resonates with a generation staring down future-of-work disruptions.
FAQ
What are the main challenges Herbert Castéran has faced since taking office?
Balancing rapid growth with public accountability has been central. Since arriving in 2022, Castéran’s administration faced rising enrollment and increasing expectations around digital transformation—all within a public governance frame, unlike private business schools.
How does IMT-BS integrate technology into its management programs?
Technology is a foundational layer—not an add-on. Students engage with AI tools, data analysis frameworks, and digital systems management from the start. Unique initiatives like the “IA Fake Festival” train students to both use and critique algorithmic content.
What is the impact of the double diploma on the career prospects of IMT-BS students?
Double-degree agreements with international institutions increase employability, particularly in multinational firms. Graduates with dual expertise in tech and management are increasingly sought after in sectors like consulting, logistics, and fintech.
How does IMT-BS ensure the social inclusion of its students?
Programs such as financial aid based on social criteria, outreach to underrepresented high schools, and partnerships with organizations like Article 1 raise the school’s profile as one of the most open in France.
What are the future projects of Herbert Castéran for IMT-BS?
The school plans to push further into research related to the platform economy, increase English-language course offerings, and broaden industry ties in emerging tech sectors. A new incubator for green tech startups is reportedly in planning stages.
