When: 16 October, 18:00
Where : USI Executive Center, Blue Room, Via Buffi 13
Guest Speaker: Amin Jadavji, co-founder of Elevate Farms

Join us for an event on the future of agriculture, focusing on vertical farming and the transformative role of space technology in food production. This event will feature a keynote presentation by Amin Jadavji, co-founder of Elevate Farms, a leader in vertical farming solutions that significantly reduce water and land usage while improving the sustainability of local food production.

As climate change and resource scarcity challenge conventional farming methods, Elevate Farms is at the forefront of providing an innovative solution. Their automated systems, developed from space research with ESA and NASA, allow for efficient, sustainable production of leafy greens using 90% less water and land than traditional agriculture—without the use of pesticides. These advancements hold the promise of revolutionizing Switzerland’s agricultural sector by bringing fresh, locally grown produce directly to consumers with minimal environmental impact.

During the event, Amin will delve into how this technology is already being implemented in Switzerland and globally, and why vertical farming is essential for reducing reliance on imported produce. From pioneering research in controlled-environment agriculture to practical applications in local supply chains, this event will offer unique insights into the future of farming.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about cutting-edge agricultural technology and its potential to transform food systems both locally and globally.

About Elevate Farms
Elevate Farms is an innovative company co-founded by Amin Jadavji and Per Aage Lysaa, combining decades of research in photobiology and plant growth systems. Their technology focuses on controlled environments that optimize light, humidity, and nutrients for growing plants, reducing waste and enhancing productivity.

Book your place: emba@usi.ch

Take advantage of this opportunity and book your free session for the upcoming course.

Course: Strategic and Creative decision making
19 October (08:30-12:30), USI, Executive Center, Blue Room

Dr. Soyer is a behavioral scientist and the founder of SOYER Decision Advisory. He has contributed to graduate and executive programs at INSEAD, Bayes, TUM, USI, EDHEC, ESSEC and MIP, among others. He has provided talks, workshops and/or projects to a wide range of organizations, including Google, Airbnb, Amazon, Microsoft, Continental, BBVA, ING, BASF, Pfizer, Turkish Airlines, EY, TBWA. Beyond his scholarly publications, he has co-authored The Myth of Experience (with Robin Hogarth), and written for Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review on decision making. He has also co-created and managed social enterprises.

Course Description and goals

This course focuses on improving critical thinking and strategic decision making skills of today’s and tomorrow’s leaders.
TOPICS
Recognizing Main Decision Traps
Learning the Right Lessons from Data & Experience
Improving Intuition, Critical Thinking & Influence
Designing & Communicating Decision Objectives
Mitigating Uncertainty with Communication & Creativity
Improving Decisions of Groups & Organizations

Book your place: emba@usi.ch

Course: OPERATION MANAGEMENT

Enjoy a free session and get to know the EMBA Program

When: Saturday 15 June (08:30 -12:30)

Where: USI, Executive Center, Via Giuseppe Buffi 13,6900 Lugano

Professor Paulo Gonçalves

Professor of Operations Management at USI.
PhD (MIT Sloan), M. Sc. (MIT), M. Sc. (USP), B. Sc. (ITA).

Course Description

This course addresses the management of operations in manufacturing and service organizations. It introduces the concepts and techniques related to the design, planning, control, and improvement of manufacturing and service operations. Managing operations effectively requires both strategic and tactical skills. Significant competitive advantages accrue to firms that manage their operations and resources effectively and efficiently. Operations Management is a vast subject and a number of possible topics could be covered in class, emphasis will be placed on practical tools that can aid decision-making.

Program structure:

Operations role in competitive advantage
Process design
Demand forecasting
Capacity management
Inventory management
Supply chain management
Supply chain design

Book your place: emba@usi.ch

Boldbrain challenge

Ever think to turn into a reality your great idea?

Win a USI EMBA Scholarship by Participating in the Boldbrain Startup Challenge!

Boldbrain Startup Challenge, a leading accelerator in Ticino for early-stage startups and entrepreneurs, is now accepting applications. This program is designed to nurture innovative ideas, providing personalized support, coaching, workshops, and a comprehensive three-month training program.

Participants will compete for cash prizes totaling CHF 120,000 and over CHF 80,000 in in-kind prizes. This is a golden opportunity to develop your startup idea into a profitable business in Ticino.

Key Details:

• Open to: Startups and early-stage ideas from any sector, including international applicants planning to develop their idea in Ticino.
• Application Deadline: June 14, 11:50 PM.
• InfoDay Event: May 16 at Ristorante Vistalago, Lugano.

For more information and to download the regulations, visit the official Boldbrain website.

Check out the past edition’s winners! 

Negotiation – An essential skill for executives

When: 25 May (08:30 – 12:30)

Where: USI Executive Center, Blue Room

Professor: Kandarp Mehta

For an executive negotiation is not a choice, it’s a necessity. As a result it’s essential for a manager to work on his/her negotiation skill. In this session, through a practical simulation we will try to understand some of the most important aspects of negotiation skill of a manager. Negotiations involve a dual pressure for an executive. On one hand the executive is under pressure to compete and create maximum value, on the other hand the executive wants to collaborate and establish a relationship. Quite often negotiations involve not only opportunities for creation of value but also a resolution of a conflict or a deadlock. This session will address this competitive-collaborative pressure that each manager faces.

The session will provide practical tools and tips that managers can use in their day-to-day negotiations and become more effective.

Come join us at the Executive Center, 25 May

Limited places, book now at emba@usi.ch

Kandarp Mehta BIO

Kandarp Mehta is a PhD from IESE Business School, Barcelona.

He has been with the Entrepreneurship Department at IESE since October 2009.

His research has focused on creativity in organizations and negotiations. He frequently works as consultant with startups on issues related to Innovation and Creativity. His doctoral thesis was about the process of creativity in the context of motion picture industry.

He has conducted several Negotiation and Creativity Workshops for corporate executives and management students in Europe, USA and India. Before coming to Spain, he was at ICFAI Business School in India where he taught Corporate Finance. He is also actively involved with Creative Industries.