On Tuesday, 7 October 2025, TSM – Toulouse School of Management, part of Toulouse Capitole University, celebrated its 70th anniversary with an exceptional day dedicated to honouring its heritage, its students, and its commitment to the future.
70 years of innovation and academic excellence at TSM
Founded in 1955 under the name Institut de préparation aux affaires, Toulouse School of Management is one of the first five French IAE (University Schools of Management), inspired by the American business school model.
From the outset, the School distinguished itself through a practical and business-oriented approach, with pioneering programmes such as the Certificate in Business Administration and the Advanced Management Cycle (launched in 1958), which trained generations of regional and national leaders.
Over the decades, TSM has successfully combined tradition and innovation. In 1985, it officially became the Institut d’administration des entreprises de Toulouse, promoting high-level research and the development of innovative training programmes.
The 2000s marked a turning point, with the adoption of European academic standards (LMD reform), the creation of a Doctoral School in Management Sciences in 2006, and in 2012, the recognition of its research centre as a CNRS Joint Research Unit.
In 2017, the IAE of Toulouse rebranded as Toulouse School of Management, reaffirming its ambition to strengthen internationalisation and pursue pedagogical innovation.
This ambition was confirmed in 2023 with the award of EQUIS accreditation, attesting to the School’s academic excellence and international reputation.
Today, TSM is a public, international and inclusive School, with:
- 3,000 students
- 25,000 alumni worldwide
- 100 partner universities across the globe
- A renowned research laboratory: TSM-Research, CNRS Joint Research Unit, UT Capitole
- Prestigious international accreditations: EQUIS, EPAS, EFMD
Discover TSM’s history in the 70th Anniversary Brochure!
An afternoon of celebration at the heart of the campus
The festivities on 7 October began with a lively afternoon in the park of the Anciennes Facultés, bringing together more than 1,000 participants. The event featured a variety of fun and creative activities open to all. Giant games, a music quiz, raffle, exhibition and creative workshops, uniting students, lecturers and administrative staff in a warm and festive atmosphere.
Student associations also contributed by organising various activities to enliven the celebrations throughout the afternoon.
The highlight of the afternoon was the 70th birthday cake ceremony, where Julien Grobert, Director of TSM, and the President of the Student Union blew out the candles together, paying tribute to the School’s history and its student community.
An evening event bringing TSM community together
The day continued with an institutional evening attended by more than 230 guests, including faculty members, researchers, administrative staff, academic and business partners, local dignitaries, and students active in campus life.
Chaired by Hugues Kenfack, President of Toulouse Capitole University, and Julien Grobert, Director of TSM, the evening also featured a speech by Véronique Dominguez-Guillaume, Regional Delegate Rector for Higher Education, Research and Innovation in Occitanie.
Heartfelt and inspiring alumni testimonies from Emma Serrakh, Product & Digital Marketing Manager at Airbus Defence and Space, and Éric Gillis, President of the Regional Council of the Order of Chartered Accountants, added a moving and personal dimension to the event.
The evening concluded in a warm and convivial atmosphere, with a cocktail reception and live music, celebrating both TSM community and the School’s 70 years of history.
TSM : a School focused on the future
This anniversary is not only an opportunity to celebrate the past but also to reaffirm TSM’s commitment to the future, continuing to train responsible, open-minded professionals who actively contribute to society.
Photo Credit : Alain Le Coz
A look back in pictures at TSM’s 70th anniversary celebrations
