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Demographic decline in the student population, geopolitical tensions, and the rise of extremism limiting international student mobility, hybrid teaching methods, and changing expectations of younger generations—particularly around the pace and duration of studies—rapid transformations in jobs and skills affecting graduate employability… Higher education faces numerous challenges in the years ahead. To better respond to these deep changes in its environment, IÉSEG has taken the initiative to engage its stakeholders early on by launching the Higher Education Fresco.

Frescos: gamifying awareness

In recent years, participatory frescos have multiplied across various sectors, driven by a shared goal: raising awareness and mobilizing people around complex issues. Originating from the success of The Climate Fresco, these educational tools aim to simplify complex systems through collective intelligence.

Using a themed card game, participants are invited to reconstruct a system of causes and effects related to a specific issue. This playful and interactive approach encourages deeper understanding of the challenges, fosters dialogue, and opens the door to action.

“Understanding the shifts in higher education is critical if we truly want to anticipate the future and lead meaningful transformation. A ‘simple’ game makes this accessible—it levels the playing field, provides everyone with the same level of information, builds shared urgency, and turns awareness into action. It empowers everyone, in their daily roles and collectively, to contribute to the transformation of our School”,explains Maria Castillo, Director of Strategic Development Projects at IÉSEG.

The Higher Education Fresco: a tailor-made tool created by IÉSEG

Recognizing that higher education itself is undergoing deep changes—geopolitical, societal, technological, environmental, and demographic—IÉSEG developed a bespoke tool: the Higher Education Fresco.

Conceived, designed, and fully created by IÉSEG’s teams, this Fresco invites participants to reflect on the major challenges affecting the sector, their consequences, and especially the solutions needed for the School to continue adapting to a shifting landscape and maintain its trajectory of growth and its standing among the world’s leading institutions.

The Fresco was first deployed during the Vision 2025 Seminar, which brought together staff, students, and alumni in an immersive, collaborative, and reflective format.

A collective experience valued and set to become widespread

Feedback from participants highlights the richness of the experience. Sonia Levillain, a management professor at the School, shares: “This Fresco was a wonderful shared experience. It levels the playing field regarding the sector’s challenges by placing us in a flipped classroom dynamic: we became active agents in our discovery and learning. We realized how the sector’s context, upcoming challenges, and their consequences interconnect… and we understand that it is truly time to act!”

Julie Meunier, a student at IÉSEG, agrees: “This game encouraged us to think and discuss together. We built genuine team cohesion, shared our perspectives, and brainstormed collective solutions. As a student, I really appreciated that my ideas were welcomed with the same respect as those of professors and administrative staff — it was truly rewarding. I loved being recognized and able to express myself. It was a fantastic experience to work together on the future of my school.”

Pietro Borsotti, Head of Corporate Relations at IÉSEG and Fresco facilitator, was impressed by everyone’s engagement: “As a facilitator, I was amazed by the energy in each group. There was a lot of creativity, and each group created a unique Fresco despite using the same cards. New ideas emerged from all these discussions.”

Christophe Catoir, Chair of IÉSEG’s Board of Directors, also took part in the Higher Education Fresco alongside students and staff: “It’s fantastic to see all the School’s stakeholders—staff, students, alumni—come together and work as a team. You realize there are a thousand different ways forward. The issues seem obvious, yet it’s about choosing the right card to succeed… That’s real leadership, and it’s exciting to experience. As I like to say, ‘Lead the game – lead the change.’ IÉSEG has proven in the past that it can make bold choices to establish itself among France’s top business schools and internationally. What radical choice will the School make tomorrow to meet these challenges and the rapidly evolving context?”

By launching this initiative, IÉSEG affirms its commitment to making the sector’s transformation a collective and inclusive project. Additional sessions of the Higher Education Fresco are already planned with students, partner companies, and others—with the goal of enriching strategic reflection and inspiring future decisions.