Hinrich Foundation Publishes the 2025-2026 Guide to Master’s in International Business and Trade

Highlighting Industry Aligned Criteria and 20 Leading Programs Including HEC Montréal’s MSc International Business

Monday December 15, 2025

Montreal, December 15, 2025 –  The Hinrich Foundation, an Asia-based philanthropy dedicated to advancing mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade, has published the Hinrich Foundation Guide to Master’s in International Business and Trade for academic year 2025-2026. This comprehensive guide helps prospective students find programs that prepare them for successful careers in international trade, offering evaluation tools, a list of leading programs, career opportunities and scholarship information. 

The Hinrich Foundation Guide sets out industry defined criteria for cross-border business knowledge, skills and attributes essential for graduate programs to prepare the next generation of global trade leaders. One of the 20 quality programs exemplifying the Hinrich Foundation Guide’s criteria is the the Master of Science (MSc) - International Business from HEC Montréal, a world-renowned French-language business school. 

"Our Guide reflects what global trade employers truly need from master’s programs – a blend of rigorous academic content, professors with practical trade experience, rich industry engagement and ongoing graduate support,” said Alex Boome, Hinrich Foundation Trade Education Program Director. 

The HEC Montréal Master’s in International Business program develops the next generation of global leaders with the skills and knowledge to navigate an ever-changing world,” Boome said. “Its curriculum equips students with advanced concepts related to market globalization and the ability to react to major international changes and specific risks.” 

Thierry Warin - Professor, Department of International Business and Director of the Department of International Business said: “We are delighted that the MSc International Business program is recognized by the Hinrich Foundation Guide not only for its diverse trade program content but also for its strong ties with industry. Its interdisciplinary approach and cross-cultural nature give students the tools to solve real business problems in international settings from anywhere in the world.” 

Trade Course Content Areas and Trade Program Attributes 

The Guide’s core criteria, developed with input from trade professionals and academics, include 12 key areas grouped into trade course content and program attributes: 

Trade course content areas 

• Cross-border trade 

• Cross-border trade policy  

• Cross-border logistics & supply chain management 

• Cross-border trade finance & accounting  

• Cross-border leadership & soft skills 

• Future skills for global trade 

Trade program attributes 

• Industry aligned curriculum & engagement 

• Practitioner professors 

• Career services & employer recruitment 

• Alumni support & network 

• International exposure 

• Leading research 

Together, these cover the subject matter, pedagogy and student support needed to prepare graduates to lead amid the complexities of today’s dynamic geopolitical and technological landscape. 

Prospective students and professionals can access the full Hinrich Foundation Guide at hinrichfoundation.com/education/hf-guide. 

About the Hinrich Foundation 

The Hinrich Foundation is an Asia-based philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade. We believe that global trade – when mutually beneficial and sustainable – is a powerful force for shared prosperity, technological progress, sustainability and peaceful international cooperation.  Our work is grounded in independent, fact-based research and the development of innovative trade education programs. We invest in building a new generation of trade leaders, capable of navigating the complexities of global value chains and the evolving geopolitical and technological environment, by partnering with leading universities and corporations.  

About HEC Montréal 

An internationally renowned French-language university, HEC Montréal is open to the world and firmly rooted in the Quebec community. Since 1907, it has been training leaders in all areas of management, who contribute responsibly to the success of organizations and the sustainable transition of society. Its community includes over 14,000 students from 148 countries, 310 faculty members and more than 115,000 graduates, who make their mark here and around the world. The School offers upwards of 150 programs at all university levels and welcomes more than 9,000 managers and executives every year. 

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