Mastering Global Technical Leadership

Led by Rice Professor Steve Gomez, this interdisciplinary course examines the role of technical leaders in fostering ethical practices within global organizations, using SLB as a case study to explore socio-technical solutions for sustainability while incorporating hands-on projects and cultural visits in Paris.

• Program Dates: June 27-July 17, 2025

• Program Location: Rice Global Paris Center | Paris, France

• Who Can Apply? Any Rice Undergraduate. This course is ideal for students interested in joining global corporations and developing into global leadership roles within business, engineering, science, and global organizations. It is particularly relevant for those who want to explore the intersection of technology and sustainable development. Students from all majors are welcome, though a background in business, engineering, science, management, or global studies is preferred. Note for graduating seniors! You are welcome to apply to this course; however, Rice summer aid (i.e. Rice financial aid) is not available to seniors who have obtained enough credits to graduate by the end of the spring semester. Additionally, you will have to postpone your graduation date to the summer in order to participate. You are, however, still eligible to apply for both RICE GLOBAL tuition and travel awards included in the course application.

• Tuition Cost: $1,800 per credit hour (this course is 3 credit hours).

• What's Covered: The program will provide housing for all three weeks, metro card for all three weeks, course-set excursions/tickets, three group meals, and travel insurance.

• Financial Aid: If you already receive financial aid, you are eligible to receive financial aid for up to 9 credit hours a summer for two summer, at 50% of the tuition rate, i.e. if a Paris course is three credit hours and $5,400 total tuition, eligible students would pay $2,700. Rice summer aid (i.e. Rice financial aid) is not available to seniors who have obtained enough credits to graduate by the end of the spring semester.

  After submitting your application, our office is in direct contact with the financial aid office who will let us know if you are financial aid eligible for the summer. If you are accepted, you will immediately know how much financial aid you have available in your acceptance letter.

  To find out if you are eligible before acceptance to a course, contact: fina@rice.edu. To learn more about summer financial aid requirements, please visit: https://financialaid.rice.edu/summer-students.

• Additional Assistance from Rice Global: Students can also apply to receive additional assistance (for both tuition and travel) from Rice Global. Application for assistance is included in the course application.

• Credit Hours: 3 credit hours

• Course Instructor: Steve Gomez

• Course Description: Taught by Steve Gomez, Rice Professor in the Practice, and a former global métier manager for SLB (formerly Schlumberger), this interdisciplinary course explores the role of a technical leader, the Métier Manager, in accelerating the development of ethical technical leaders in global organizations. Using Paris based SLB as a case study, students will learn how socio-technical solutions are developed to meet global sustainability challenges, focusing on the intersection of people, technology, business, and leadership in engineering and science. Students will apply their learnings in a socio-technical project of their own design. Paris visits include UNESCO, The Picasso Museum, The Metier Museum, Tomb of Napoleon, SLB Headquarters, SLB Product Center, and the Sorbonne.

• Who is this class for? This course is ideal for students interested in joining global corporations and developing into global leadership roles within business, engineering, science, and global organizations. It is particularly relevant for those who want to explore the intersection of technology and sustainable development. Students from all majors are welcome, though a background in business, engineering, science, management, or global studies is preferred.

• Course Zoom Information Session: Take a look at the Information Session recording to learn more.

• Syllabus: Take a look at the draft syllabus - subject to change.

• Does this course fulfill a distribution and/or Analyzing diversity requirement? No

For questions, please visit our student program page or email pariscenter@rice.edu. The application deadline is January 31, 2025.