Inside the Prague-based MBA program building new leaders in tech

The mid-level career plateau is real: according to a 2024 report from the Work Institute, 85 percent of employees rank career growth above pay for job satisfaction, yet only 37 percent of organizations offer clear career progression frameworks. Managerial roles offer a logical elevation point, but IT specialists are often promoted into leadership roles before they have had a chance to develop formal management skills.

Some people can step into these roles naturally, while others need structured support. To help fill these gaps, Prague University of Economics and Business (Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, VŠE) developed a program that combines leadership education with deep expertise in technology-driven business.

Launched in 2025, the MBA in IT Management & Business Transformation at the Faculty of Informatics and Statistics is designed for professionals working across IT, business, and management roles. Taught entirely in English, it forms part of the university’s Data & Business VŠE platform, which offers postgraduate programs focused on the intersection of business, IT, and data.

Unlike generalist MBA programs, the curriculum zeroes in on areas central to IT leadership, including digital innovation, IT strategy, governance, cybersecurity, architecture, and AI transformation. Professionals build their leadership capacity across both technical and business domains.

The program is delivered through intensive weekend modules, allowing participants to continue full-time work while applying course content in professional settings. The third semester is fully project-based, where students can develop applied projects linked to their own organizations or sectors.

Professional networking is seamlessly integrated with the program’s academic instruction. Students engage with visiting lecturers and industry professionals from a range of sectors, including speakers from SCET UC Berkeley and IMD Business School, as well as professionals from companies such as Škoda Auto, Siemens, Nestlé, and KPMG Czech Republic.

Peer learning is also central to the program’s structure, and many appreciate the program's diverse student body, which provides opportunities for collaboration on a truly global scale.

“Not all of them are from IT, which brings valuable outside perspectives,” says Jan Rosmarin, another current enrollee. “We also occasionally connect with students from the Data MBA, which adds even more depth to the discussions. 

Rosmarin also regularly interacts with other members of the program and feels that there’s a “real sense of community beyond the lectures.” 

Beyond formal teaching, Data & Business VŠE organizes public community events through its Voices of Transformation series. These free evening sessions focus on current topics in tech, data, and leadership, and provide opportunities to meet speakers, alumni, and program representatives.

Firley admits that the coursework is challenging, but those challenges have elevated their understanding of the industry for the better. “That’s where the real learning happens,” he shares. “I’m genuinely looking forward to what the rest of the journey brings.”