Interview: European Business Institute on Expanding Access to Higher Education

Chronicle.lu recently spoke with Louise Jeantrelle, EBU Partnerships Coordinator, about the European Business Institute (EBU) based in Wiltz, Luxembourg.

EBU enrolments are currently open until Thursday 30 April 2026.

Chronicle.lu: The European Business Institute is positioning itself as a global provider of accessible, affordable higher education. When was EBU founded in Luxembourg, what is its core mission and what sets its model apart from other education institutions?

EBU: At a time when higher education costs continue to rise globally, a Luxembourg-based institution is taking a different approach. The European Business Institute was established in Luxembourg as a non-profit higher education institution with a clear and ambitious mission: to make high-quality European education accessible, affordable and globally inclusive. From its inception, EBU was designed to challenge the traditional cost structures of higher education and to fundamentally rethink what a degree should cost in today's world. EBU delivers comparable, internationally aligned programmes for approximately €12,000 covering the full study period. [...] Rather than following legacy systems built on exclusivity and high overheads, EBU has adopted a fully digital, globally accessible model. This enables students from all backgrounds to access European-standard education without the financial burden of relocation, visa constraints or excessive tuition fees.

What sets EBU apart is its combination of affordability, flexibility and global reach, supported by a fully online delivery model [...], scholarship-driven access [...], integration of emerging technologies [and a] focus on employability, practical skills and global relevance.

Operating from Luxembourg, a global hub for finance, innovation and international cooperation, EBU leverages its strategic position to connect students to a truly global academic and professional ecosystem.

Chronicle.lu: EBU highlights strong international expansion across Europe, Africa and Asia. How many students are currently enrolled across the institution's programmes, and which programmes are seeing the most growth?

EBU: From a Luxembourg-based institute to a global classroom of over 29,000 learners, EBU Luxembourg's rapid international expansion reflects a new era of borderless, accessible education. Today, EBU serves a diverse student community across more than 90 countries, with particularly strong growth across Africa, Europe and parts of Asia [...].

In terms of programme demand, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) remains one of the most sought-after offerings, particularly among working professionals aiming to advance into leadership roles. The Master of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MS DSAI) is currently the fastest-growing programme, driven by the global surge in demand for digital and AI-related expertise.

In parallel, EBU's short certificate programmes in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, robotics and business leadership are experiencing strong uptake, especially among professionals seeking rapid, practical upskilling.

This sustained growth reflects a broader global shift toward flexible, technology-integrated education models [...].

Chronicle.lu: EBU has provided targeted scholarship access to students in Afghanistan, particularly supporting women. Please tell us more about how this programme works in practice and what outcomes you have seen so far.

EBU: EBU's scholarship initiatives in Afghanistan were developed in response to the urgent need to preserve access to education, particularly for women facing systemic restrictions on learning and employment. To date, we have successfully enrolled over 300 Afghan women into our programmes.

Through its fully online model, EBU Luxembourg is able to bypass geographical and institutional barriers, providing [...] subsidised tuition through dedicated scholarship schemes, flexible, remote access to academic content and live sessions [and] continuous academic and administrative support. This enables students, especially women, to continue their education safely from their homes, without reliance on physical institutions that may be inaccessible.

[Regarding outcomes] Beyond completing internationally aligned qualifications, a significant number of these women have secured remote employment opportunities. For many, this represents far more than career progression; it is a fundamental shift in their quality of life. In environments where local employment opportunities are extremely limited, the ability to work remotely has enabled these women to: gain financial independence; support their families; rebuild a sense of autonomy and purpose; participate in the global workforce [...]. This transformation demonstrates how accessible, digitally delivered education can directly translate into economic empowerment and social impact.

Chronicle.lu: EBU has also supported more than 600 students with disabilities over the past year through a partnership with the Crystal Asige Foundation in Kenya. How and when did this partnership begin? How do you ensure your digital learning environment is accessible, and what impact has this initiative had?

EBU: [...] In July 2025, EBU partnered with the Crystal Asige Foundation to turn that belief into action, creating accessible, affordable education pathways for individuals who have historically been left behind. What began as a shared vision has already delivered measurable impact, with over 600 students with disabilities supported to date, and the initiative continues to grow.

Accessibility is [...] engineered into the core of EBU's digital learning model: the virtual learning environment is built on a Learning Management System [...] conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA. This ensures equal access to functionality and information for all users, including those with visual and hearing impairments, supported by built-in assistive technologies [...].

The outcomes have been significant: hundreds of students have successfully completed certificate programmes; increased participation in professional and technical education; strengthened pathways to employment and economic independence.

However, this impact represents only a fraction of the need. Today, over 4,000 additional students remain on a waiting list, seeking access to the same opportunity. To expand this initiative, EBU is actively seeking institutional partners and funding support to extend scholarships and programme access to these students. [...]

This initiative reinforces EBU's belief that education must be inclusive by design not by exception and that with the right support, scalable impact is not only possible, but already within reach.

Chronicle.lu: For younger learners, the "Robotics for Rookies" programme is gaining traction. What is the long-term goal of this initiative?

EBU: The programme was developed to introduce younger learners typically between the ages of eleven and seventeen to the fundamentals of robotics, AI and emerging technologies.

The long-term goal is to build early digital literacy and technical confidence, inspire interest in STEM fields at a formative age [and] create a pipeline of future innovators, engineers and technology leaders. By making these subjects accessible and engaging at an early stage, EBU aims to democratise access to future skills and ensure that the next generation is not only consuming technology but actively shaping it.

Chronicle.lu: As a non-profit higher education institution offering scholarships, how are these programmes funded and sustained over the long term?

EBU: As a non-profit institution, EBU operates on a sustainability-driven model that balances affordability with long-term viability. EBU is supported through a combination of tuition revenues from full-paying degree students (or [reduced fees] through scholarship schemes), strategic partnerships with organisations, governments and foundations, collaborative initiatives with global education and industry partners, [and] reinvestment of all surplus funds into programme development and student support. This model ensures that EBU can continue to expand access while maintaining academic quality, without relying on profit-driven structures.

Chronicle.lu: Please clarify which accreditations EBU holds and how these qualifications are recognised by employers and institutions in Europe and/or internationally.

EBU: EBU operates within a robust, multi-layered accreditation and recognition framework that brings together national regulatory alignment and international academic partnerships, ensuring both credibility and global relevance.

At the national level, EBU is officially approved by the Luxembourg Ministry of Education, Children and Youth to deliver Lifelong Learning (LLL) programmes. Its certificate courses are delivered in accordance with the framework published in the Journal officiel du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg [...] ensuring full compliance with national standards and alignment with the Luxembourg Qualifications Framework (CLQ).

What truly differentiates EBU is its mission-driven approach to accessibility [referring to the affordability of certificate programmes]. EBU extends this same philosophy of accessibility [to degree programmes]. Through its collaboration with EU Global – European Global Institute of Innovation & Technology, accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority, EBU delivers internationally aligned programmes referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

In addition, EBU's affiliated EUNI Training Institute delivers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) qualifications accredited by the Association of Business Executives and regulated by Ofqual in the United Kingdom.

Together, this integrated framework ensures that EBU qualifications are not only academically aligned and internationally recognised, but also built around practical, industry-relevant skills. The result is a forward-thinking education model where affordability meets legitimacy, empowering learners worldwide to gain recognised qualifications, advance their careers and access further academic opportunities without traditional financial barriers.