A unique foundation for successful digital transformation

Antwerp, November 30, 2020. Organizations do not become agile and resilient overnight. They need leaders who know how an organization works and how to build an effective strategy. Leaders who perfectly understand the impact of digital technology and who can engage people in a change process. AMS has been training such unique leaders for years through the Executive Master of Enterprise IT Architecture. In doing so, AMS will have, from now on, the support of XPLUS, architect expert in supporting sustainable digital transformation.

The Executive Master of Enterprise IT Architecture offers a highly relevant and unique mix of knowledge and skills. Business and IT architecture go hand in hand with leadership skills, change management and the development of a holistic vision. This combination is crucial to successfully lead and transform organizations in today's dynamic and rapidly evolving digital world.

As in its other programs, AMS provides a solid academic foundation combined with practical applicability. This combination will be reinforced in the coming years by the collaboration with XPLUS, a high-end consultancy house specialized in business and IT architecture. XPLUS has over one hundred experts who support organizations in developing their digital strategy and implementing structural changes with sustainable results.

Like AMS, XPLUS has the ambition to continuously improve and share its high-end knowledge and experience in business & IT. While AMS builds on its long-standing expertise in application-oriented management education and research, XPLUS builds on its expertise in advice, consultancy, and skills training in business & IT. Both organizations were inevitably bound to find each other in this shared ambition. Thus, AMS and XPLUS recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the synergy between them.

This MOU goes well beyond good intentions and provides a clear framework for the years to come. In the short term, XPLUS will secure an even better alignment of the Executive Master of Enterprise IT Architecture with business reality. From now on, AMS and XPLUS will also jointly organize the Digital Transformation Labs twice a year. Guest lecturers from the business world will share their experience in digital transformation, allowing students, alumni, and professionals to keep up to date with the latest trends and strengthen their network. The first Digital Transformation Lab – Powered by XPLUS will take place on December 10^th , 2020.

Also in the field of research, a strong collaboration will be put in place. AMS and XPLUS have the ambition to jointly submit innovative research projects to the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In the long term, AMS and XPLUS are aiming to establish a research chair and define joint research topics within the domain of Enterprise IT Architecture.

This collaboration constitutes an important added value for professionals who want to immerse themselves in Enterprise IT Architecture. But for the partners too, joining forces creates a definite win-win situation:

Steven De Haes, Dean of Antwerp Management School and Academic Director of the Executive Master of Enterprise IT Architecture: “In the AMS strategy, we continuously focus on building smart ecosystems that start from content and strive to effectively realize a positive impact on society. This collaboration with XPLUS shows how we put this into practice.“

Ludo Wijckmans, CEO of XPLUS: “To realize an optimal digital transformation, we need pragmatic business processes with the right academic input.“

Wim Vochten, founder of XPLUS: “Just as we are in need of extra healthcare workers today and in the years to come, companies and governments definitely need more pragmatic, academically skilled business and IT architects to accelerate and successfully realize their digital transformation.”

From left to right: Prof. Dr. Steven De Haes (Dean AMS), Ludo Wijckmans (CEO XPLUS), Wim Vochten (Founder XPLUS)

Read all about the Executive Master of Enterprise IT Architecture here.

Press contact for journalists: Anja Tys, anja.tys@ams.ac.be