harvard business executive education programs

Executive Leadership Training Courses at Harvard

Develop your leadership skills and style.

Lead at the highest levels of your organization. Thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Our programs for executive leaders are designed to enhance your personal leadership skills, motivate your teams for greater productivity, and stimulate greater creativity and innovation. These powerful, highly-interactive programs, led by industry and academic experts, will empower you to effectively lead your organization through complex challenges.

Current Executive Leadership Programs

Advanced business strategy training: gaining a competitive edge.

Learn a new framework for developing a business strategy that maximizes your competitive advantage and disrupts the competition.

Agile Leadership: Transforming Mindsets and Capabilities in Your Organization

Learn how you can harness the agile revolution to lead more flexible, innovative, and successful teams.

Behavioral Decision Making

Gain the critical knowledge and tools you need to make smarter decisions for your organization — and yourself.

Building Organizational Cultures: A Framework for Leaders

Critically assess how culture affects organizations and learn how to create an environment that promotes advancement of people.

Ethical Leadership

Develop the ability to lead through challenging dilemmas and competing values to promote ethical decision-making.

Executive Leadership Coaching: Mastery Session

Deepen your ability to coach: Apply evidence-based coaching principles and explore neuroscience and human development to enhance executive coaching skills.

Executive Leadership: Skills Experienced Leaders Need to Succeed

Strengthen your executive vision and presence to enhance your influence and lead your organization to success.

Leading Your Organization’s Digital Transformation – 4-Day Training

Create actionable transformation strategies to make your leadership and your organization more innovative and more competitive.

Strategic Leadership

Enhance your ability to creatively problem-solve for the demands of working in ‘the new normal’.

Women Leaders: Advancing Together, a Multi-Week Leadership Program

A leadership program for rising women leaders and senior managers to collaborate, mentor, and advance.

Why Study Executive Leadership at Harvard

Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill or hone an existing one we have programs that meet your desire to develop your leadership skills. Our executive leadership programs cover topics such as advanced business strategy, behavioral decision making, and ethical leadership to enhance your influence and lead your organization to success.

Our professional development courses connect you with an international network of peers and industry experts. Through dynamic instruction and interactive activities like case studies and role-play, you’ll gain global perspectives and learn strategies to apply new concepts in your role and organization. The hands-on learning experience equips you to return to work with tools to enhance your success.

How Classes Work

We offer three different types of formats for programs: on campus, live online, and hybrid.

• On-campus programs take place in our dedicated state-of-the-art classroom space on Harvard’s campus at One Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA.
• Online programs are held via Zoom where you receive the same content online as on-campus, but from the convenience of your home or office.
• Hybrid programs are available both live online and on campus. Online participants are fully integrated into the program with the ability to see, hear, contribute, and network alongside your in-person counterparts.

Who Should Enroll

Each executive leadership course is designed to meet the needs of different industry leaders and professionals. Many of them are appropriate for a wide range of individuals, but some are specifically tailored to senior leaders, emerging leaders, or executives. More information about who should enroll in each program can be found on each program’s page.

Want to bring one of these leadership programs to your organization? Our team will work with you to find the way to engage with our programs that works best for your needs.

What You Earn

After completing a program, you receive a Certificate of Participation from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, further validating your expertise in the field. Taking the step to earn a certificate from a professional development program can signal to your employer that you are open to new experiences and enthusiastic about continuing to learn and grow.

Some executive leadership programs may count toward a Certificate of Leadership Excellence (CLE).

When Courses Are Offered

Many of our programs are offered multiple times a year in several formats. Miss the deadline to register? We bring popular programs back year after year — sign up to get notified when new dates are available .

The cost of a Professional & Executive Development program depends on the format you take it in and the length of the course. For more information about pricing, please visit your desired program page.

A 10% discount is available to participants taking more than one program, and discounts are also available for groups of two or more from the same organization. To take advantage of our discounts, please email [email protected] for further instructions.

Executive Leadership FAQs

What is meant by executive leadership.

Executive leadership refers to top executives who are responsible for leading and managing an organization. That work includes setting the strategic direction for the company, making major corporate decisions, and managing the overall operations and resources of a company.

Executive leadership can also refer to the skills and practices needed to fulfill these roles effectively.

What is good executive leadership?

Good executive leadership involves a combination of skills, behaviors, and qualities that enable executives to effectively lead and manage their organization. These attributes — such as strategic planning, emotional intelligence, and communication — can be honed through professional development.

What is an executive leadership program?

An executive and leadership development program is a specialized training program designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and competencies of executives and high-potential leaders within an organization. These programs often focus on areas such as strategic decision-making, change management, communication, innovation, and leadership ethics.

The goal of these programs is to prepare participants for senior leadership roles within their organization, and to help them develop the strategic mindset and leadership skills needed to navigate complex business challenges and drive organizational success.

Are executive leadership programs worth it?

Leadership development can be an essential part of advancing your career — especially for more senior executive roles. These programs can help you hone your skills in areas like strategic thinking, managing people, communication, and decision making. Taught by industry experts, executive leadership programs at Harvard DCE Professional & Executive Development can teach you practical leadership frameworks you can apply on the job.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

What We Do On-Campus Learning

Executive education programs offer life-changing, on-campus learning experiences

For senior leaders, there is often no substitute for face-to-face learning. To enrich the impact of the learning experience for your senior leadership, our executive education programs can incorporate powerful living-learning experiences on the Harvard Business School (HBS) campus as part of an integrated enterprise learning solution tailored to your needs.

An immersive experience

On-campus senior leaders are fully immersed in a holistic experience that is uniquely enriching. In addition to expanding their knowledge and expertise, executives examine where they’ve been—and where they want to take their careers and their organizations. Many of our alumni and participants have called this a life-changing experience.

Engaging interactions

Participants interact closely with HBS faculty and a peer group representing diverse organizations, industries, and cultures. Executive education programs are taught by full-time HBS faculty, drawing on research and real-world experience to disrupt traditional thinking and spark innovative ideas. Lectures, business simulations, and small-group discussions foster collaboration with peers.

Rich campus life

Learning extends beyond the classroom. Harvard Business School executive education programs include “living groups” carefully designed to encourage leadership development through case study discussions, small-group projects, lively lunchtime discussions at the Chao Center, and evening excursions to Harvard Square. Participants make new connections and form lasting relationships that continue long after the experience ends.

Tap into the HBS alumni base

HBS offers several executive education programs that offer alumni status where graduates become members of the exclusive HBS alumni network: more than 78,000 alumni representing global leadership in more than 160 countries. Connect with peers through HBS social media channels and newsletters, and the Harvard Business Review .

“This program is unique, not only because it brought together a diverse group of investment management leaders, but also because of the diversity of topics covered. It was a tremendous experience.”

Let’s meet your leadership challenges, together

Want to write your own success story? Let’s co-create a leadership development solution that meets your challenges and delivers real impact for your organization’s performance.

Benefit from world-class thought leadership and expertise

Support your strategy with solutions tailored to your learners’ needs

Develop a culture of continuous learning with on-demand solutions

Let’s talk

Change isn’t easy, but we can help. Together we’ll create informed and inspired leaders ready to shape the future of your business.

© 2024 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.

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Executive Education

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Entrepreneurship-related courses:

Families in Business (12-17 NOV 2023) Promote long-term business success and healthy relationships through prudent management of business and family. W ho should attend: Family business teams of 4-8 people, including owners and managers, multiple generations, and perhaps a non-family executive.

Launching New Ventures: Jump-Starting Innovation for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners (25 FEB - 02 MAR 2024) Delve into the entrepreneurial process and learn how to exploit disruptive opportunities to build successful businesses and product lines. Who should attend: Entrepreneurs or executives who are launching their own startup or preparing to jump-start innovation in established firms.

OPM Renew (TBD) Build on OPM learnings as you expand your essential leadership skills to guide your company through growth and success. Who should attend: OPM alumni who are C-suite executives, owners, or multigenerational business leaders with at least 10 years of operational experience.

Reimagining Executive Education

Explore more.

• Course Design
• Education Strategy
• Perspectives

W hile the past year has been a time of great challenge for business schools, it has also been a time of great innovation. Business education has changed significantly in response to the pandemic-driven pivot to virtual learning, and executive education even more drastically. When a return to normalcy is within sight, we cannot simply revert back to how things were before. Instead, the innovations of the past year give rise to unique, tech-forward teaching modalities that will shape the future of executive education.

Before examining the ways executive education is changing, it’s important to first look at some of the key learnings gained from the past year. These learnings are the foundation for understanding trends that will shape the future of executive education, the disruptors emerging in the competitive landscape, and how you and your institution can evolve.

The 3 Horizons of Change

Webinar: what lies beyond—the future of executive education.

Mohan Sawhney delivered an HBP Education webinar on what we’ve learned about digital-first executive education and the trends that will shape its future. Watch the full webinar recording here.

Reacting to the pandemic. This initial phase was triggered in March 2020, when we suddenly had to transform executive education to an exclusively online format and develop new ways of delivering program content.

Redesigning the future. As we gradually return to in-person and hybrid teaching, we can redesign executive education by innovating on the methods and technologies to deliver the best learning experiences.

Reimagining what executive education can be. In the next year and beyond, we will need to reinvent and reimagine executive education. Online courses will no longer be a pandemic-driven necessity. But armed with our learnings from this past year, we can design disruptive business models and formats for executive education.

Let’s dig into what each horizon means for educators.

Reacting: Detailed Plans Matter

When the pandemic hit, our executive education team swung into action to transform our offerings to the live virtual format. We quickly learned that in-person lesson plans don’t work in online learning . A 90-minute lecture over Zoom isn’t engaging, and a lengthy open discussion is difficult to sustain when participants aren’t in the same physical space. Content must be chunked into smaller sections and interactive elements have to be more carefully planned.

To help organize and better visualize these sections, my colleagues and I created a detailed “run of show” plan for each 60- to 90-minute session, as if we were producing a live event. The run of show breaks down the session into minute-by-minute details of activities, speakers, transitions, breakouts, and anything else planned. In a hybrid program, the run of show might include a mosaic of activities—a virtual pre-program opening, live hybrid sessions, virtual team breakouts, “pop-in” virtual guest sessions, virtual coffee hours with faculty, themed lunch tables, and so on.

Source: Mohan Sawhney, custom executive education program (class lecture, Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, IL, March 26, 2021).

Redesigning: Life Beyond Zoom

With all that we’ve learned in the past year, we’re better positioned than ever to use technology to create competitive and valuable online executive education courses. Now, as we look ahead, it’s time for both instructors and administrators to think about the details of those courses’ design.

Zoom has worked well enough for most of us educators over the past year, and many have invested in home recording studios with high-quality cameras and interactive technology. But there are even better technologies available. Solutions exist that allow for “immersive livestreaming,” in which the instructor or the students are surrounded by a wall of screens, as well as hybrid classrooms that allow remote and in-person students to interact seamlessly through video. Harvard Business School, for example, has had great success pioneering a hybrid classroom model in the past year. There have also been major developments in holographic projectors that can project instructors or students into a room. While some of these solutions can be expensive, schools can get started with less costly solutions that use speaker-tracking cameras and directional microphones to improve the experience of remote participants.

Another model that’s perhaps more accessible is the concept of immersive “geographic pods.” In this model, students in a given geographic area meet in the same physical space, perhaps at a coworking center or a hotel. They can view livestreamed content together and then have face-to-face breakout discussions.

The key thing to remember is that “online vs. in-person” is an overly simplistic dichotomy. These innovative technologies prove that hybrid modalities are not only viable options, but they also scale much more easily, making them attractive options to program administrators. While profit margins for in-person courses cannot increase no matter how large a program gets, the margins for online courses can increase exponentially.

Source: Mohan Sawhney

All numbers in the exhibit above are fictitious and are presented by the author for illustrative purposes only.

Reimagining: Program Delivery of the Future

When executive education has been fully redesigned, complete with innovative technology and more profitable business models, we can then reimagine how it can be delivered. This reimagining could lead to digital disruptions similar to what we’ve seen in other industries, such as travel and entertainment.

Consider, for example, Orbitz, a site where competing airlines came together to create their own booking platform. We may see business schools forming a similar consortium with competitors to ensure that massive online learning platforms and startups who create “supermarkets” for executive education don’t siphon off all their students.

“With all that we’ve learned in the past year, we’re better positioned than ever to use technology to create competitive and valuable online executive education courses.”

Or consider video streaming services, such as Netflix, that keep customers online by suggesting new content to watch. Business students may benefit from a platform that surfaces content for learners based on a recommendation engine. The content itself will become more atomic and granular, allowing the creation of personalized learning journeys for participants. Such a service would be sold using a subscription-based model, just as we pay monthly fees for Netflix.

Ultimately, the exact ways executive education gets reimagined will be driven by in-demand trends and emerging competitors. Let’s examine five of these trends.

5 Trends That Will Reshape Executive Education

These trends are on the rise, driven in part by the pandemic, as well as by broader technological innovation and by disruptive competitors.

1. Omnichannel executive education

Future executive education students will demand courses that are truly channel-agnostic, meaning they can deliver equal value whether attended in person or online . Learners will be able to blend the physical with the virtual and synchronous content with asynchronous content to get the best of in-person and online delivery modes. Because ultimately, customers don’t function exclusively in person or exclusively online.

Consider how retailers such as Best Buy have seamlessly combined their online channels with their physical stores so that customers can easily hop back and forth between channels based on their preferences. Similarly, executive education participants should be able to choose when, how, and where they consume content based on what works best for them at a specific point in time.

“Future executive education students will demand courses that are truly channel-agnostic, meaning they can deliver equal value whether attended in person or online.”

2. Strategic learning partnerships

Opportunities for business schools to form strategic partnerships with corporations will grow. Our experience at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management suggests that the demand for custom executive education is growing, while the demand for open-enrollment courses is shrinking. As corporations demand greater accountability from executive education in terms of business impact, they will seek to partner with business schools to develop targeted and contextual learning for their employees. An early example is the partnership between Hult International Business School and Ernst & Young (EY) to create a custom MBA program for 284,000 EY employees worldwide.

Another disruptive force lies in the emergence of learning management systems (LMSs) offered “as a service,” which let companies and business schools host content on the same platform and make that content widely available to a company’s employees. For example, Infosys, a leading technology consulting firm, offers a platform called Wingspan . The platform features a Netflix-style interface for corporations that combines in-house content with business school content.

3. Outsourced online executive education partnerships

There are already a number of online platforms that host pre-recorded courses contributed by reputable business schools. This is the supermarket idea of business education—students can select individual courses off a digital shelf. In an age when learners are getting more accustomed to online education, this model will only grow. The most successful of these platforms in the business space, Emeritus , already has a valuation of more than $1 billion.

The emergence of these companies demonstrates the value of building a consortium of business schools with their own online learning platform. Otherwise, these open online platforms could draw students away with their promise of convenience and lower costs.

4. K-shaped growth

In the upcoming years, growth in executive education is going to occur at two opposite ends of the spectrum, in a K shape . On one end, scalable online programs will grow in popularity with high-volume commercial vendors such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning competing in the market for MOOCs (massive open online courses). These players will provide low-cost, accessible executive education to the mass-market. On the other end, a few prestigious business schools will offer premium in-person executive courses that people will travel to attend. These courses will be few, but they will be very profitable for institutions with the brand equity to attract senior executives willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a rich, community-centric experience.

Both models promise to be lucrative, and successful business schools should have offerings at both ends of this spectrum. However, business schools that get caught in the middle with a brand that cannot support the premium of in-person programs or with capabilities that do not allow them to create scalable mass-marketed programs will risk being disrupted. This is what happened to department stores that were caught between luxury boutiques at one end and Amazon at the other end of the price-value spectrum.

5. Skills-based certification and credentialing

Today’s students are taking executive education courses specifically to further their careers. They know what skills they need and they want content that will give them certification in those skills. Therefore, the market for small-scale courses or certifications in highly specific areas such as digital marketing and artificial intelligence will increase. We may even begin to see a microcredentialing trend in which students gain specific credentials at the end of one-day or one-week courses. These microcredentials may be stored in a blockchain register that can be accessed by future employers.

Planning for the Future: 7 Action Steps

So, what does all of this mean for educators, and what should you and your institution be doing to prepare for the future? Here are seven steps to consider.

For instructors:

1. Prepare for post-pandemic in-person programs by infusing hybrid and blended learning modalities into all executive education offerings. Don’t think in terms of returning to the past normal, but instead in terms of the modalities most likely to persist a few years from now. Ask yourself how you can mix the insights shared in this article with your institution’s strengths to create competitive hybrid and omnichannel offerings.

2. Aggressively pursue the development of high-value online programs that fall between low-cost online courses and high-cost in-person ones. The in-person programs will become a rarified market, and low-cost online courses won’t deliver as much value. While both are still worth pursuing, middle-ground hybrid offerings will become the competitive differentiator for many schools.

For institutions:

3. Build talent and infrastructure for the recording, production, and instructional design of durable asynchronous content and hybrid lessons. Your institution will essentially need to become a TV production studio. To make it happen, you’ll need specialized talent such as instructional designers, UX designers, video producers, and more.

4. Hire and develop faculty with high-demand domain expertise and great screen presence. Faculty need to be able to teach highly marketable content on popular topics such as analytics, private equity, and digital storytelling, among others—not bland overview courses. Schools also need to find faculty that students will enjoy watching online.

5. Adapt your business model to account for factors such as program pricing and upfront capital investments, which will need to be overhauled. Creating online and hybrid content requires much more upfront investment than traditional programs. Online modalities also raise new business concerns, such as royalties for those creating the courses.

6. Rethink your physical facilities to prepare for the digital-first future. The classroom of tomorrow isn’t going to look anything like the classroom of today. Instead of forcing your current facilities to accommodate digital learning, redesign your physical space to accommodate new modalities.

7. Enhance your digital marketing team and rethink customer acquisition channels. Business schools are good at high-touch, high-cost customer acquisition, but marketing digital products requires a different talent pool and skillset. Institutions will need to retool their marketing departments to accommodate these changes. You’ll also need new marketing technology and infrastructure for a digital-first future.

The pandemic has accelerated the evolution and disruption of executive education. Innovative modalities and disruptive business models will become commonplace over the next few years, and now is the time for instructors to start planning courses that take advantage of these new modalities. Institutions, too, should begin taking steps to succeed in a radically changing industry. The future of executive education is filled with exciting opportunities for business schools willing to think creatively and embrace change.

Mohan Sawhney is Associate Dean for Digital Innovation and McCormick Foundation Professor of Technology at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. A pioneer in online executive education, he has created several SPOCs (Small Online Private Courses) and online simulations in digital marketing, product strategy, and artificial intelligence.

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Business Communications Graduate Certificate

Learn to deliver clear, concise, and convincing messaging to advance ideas, build consensus, and resolve conflict.

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• Compose effective business communications, including proposals, presentations, and reports.
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• Master the techniques of public speaking, including message development, content, projection, inflection, and delivery.

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Data Science for Leaders Program

Harness the Power of Data and Technology

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Data Science for Leaders is an intensive business analytics training specifically designed for the demanding schedule of senior executives. This immersive data science program leads participants through the process of uniting core leadership principles with data science methods to drive profitable and sustainable business growth.

By attending this unique data science certificate program, you’ll learn directly from the industry’s foremost data science educators and leaders. Their world-class instruction along with an industry-forward curriculum will enable you to recognize the practical applications of machine learning in business, build data-driven products through experimental design, and merge data science and business analytics insights to inform successful business decisions, strategy, and execution. 

Key Takeaways

Acquire a confident data science mindset.

Embrace data science not as a discipline but as a way of thinking. Use your new data mindset to confidently extract key science-backed insights, anticipate organizational needs, and envision new business growth.

Improve Your Organization’s Business Processes

Apply data analytics, statistics, and their applications to optimize core business systems and processes and increase your organization’s operational capacity in all business areas.

Harness Data & Technology to Create New Value

Understand how to leverage data science tools, methods, and know-how to solve pressing business problems, identify and implement new business strategies, and generate new value. 

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• Access to the executive data science program’s alumni community 
• A Data Science for Leaders Certificate of Completion 

Many leaders engage with data scientists across their organization but have little conceptual understanding of data science for business and how it can—and should—be utilized. Without a deep background in data science and business analytics and minimal technical expertise, many decision-makers are left guessing or rely on incomplete and often fragmented data translation—resulting in misguided or under-informed decision-making.

Business leaders looking to make more informed decisions and drive success in their organization would be well advised to learn all they can about data analysis and management and understand the data they base their decisions on. Possessing this critical and evolving knowledge is essential for executives to optimally leverage information produced for and by their data science teams to deliver business solutions based on solid analytic insights. The Data Science for Leaders program provides participants access and opportunities to apply this knowledge through a comprehensive and immersive educational experience. 

Enjoy A Highly-Engaging Program Environment

In this intensive data science leadership course, esteemed Haas faculty, Jonathan Kolstad, Conrad Miller, and Matthew Grennan use their extensive research and industry expertise to lead you through a three-day, applied data science boot camp which includes a mix of:  

• dynamic lectures
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Program curriculum is informed by Professor Jonathan Kolstad’s robust research and industry engagement—at the forefront of the nexus between data science and business analytics—to define the capabilities, challenges, and decisions executives must make every day.

Emerge as an Influential, Data-Driven Leader

At the conclusion of this powerful data science training, you’ll thoroughly understand data analytics, statistics, and its applications, allowing you to more clearly anticipate organizational needs, make informed data-driven decisions, solve business problems, improve business processes, and drive business growth.

Who it's for

• Leaders who engage with data scientists across their organization and need a strong conceptual understanding of how data science should be utilized
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• Anyone looking to attend one of the top business analysis courses available for learning how to drive new growth and solve business problems with data-backed insights 
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Want to approach your employer about professional development classes and request employer support? Read the Employer Payment Assistance Guide .

Format & Structure

• Three-day, intensive data science workshop for executives and leaders at the UC Berkley Haas Campus
• Exclusive networking reception with faculty and peers
• Access to the program alumni community 
• Data Science for Leaders Certificate of Completion 

Dates & Costs

Other ways to participate, attend this program with a group of your colleagues..

Attend this program with colleagues to gain greater organizational impact. Groups of five or more receive special rates.

Customize this program for your organization.

Use this program's curriculum as the foundation of a program based on your company's unique objectives.

What people are saying

"Good balance of theory and practice. Great lecturers."

"Jon's overall teaching style and how data is used in a variety of companies was very interesting and useful."

"This was a very well-organised course with engaged professors who (were) very clear communicated a lot of inspiring insights through a balanced combination of theory with strong empirical cases. The group work gave an international network with interesting and valuable knowledge sharing."

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You can ask your Program Manager to prepare an invitation letter to help with your visa application. It is important to emphasize that the visit is for business purposes.

The Visa Waiver Program is available to citizens or nationals from select countries. Check the Department of State website to determine your eligibility and learn about the waiver process.

The list of countries sanctioned by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control currently includes: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Ukraine-Crimea Region, plus the addition of Russia for Berkeley Executive Education at this time.

Jonathan Kolstad

Associate Professor | Henry J. Kaiser Chair, Haas School of Business

Conrad Miller

Assistant Professor, Haas School of Business

Matthew Grennan

Associate Professor | Faculty Co-Director, Robinson Life Science, Business, & Entrepreneurship Program, Haas School of Business

Certificate of Completion

Signal your professional achievement to your network and get recognized for your completion! Upon successful completion of the program, UC Berkeley Executive Education grants a verified digital certificate of completion to participants that you are encouraged to add to your profiles.

Note: This program results in a digital certificate of completion and is not eligible for degree credit/CEUs. After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you directly. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of UC Berkeley Executive Education.

Certificate of Business Excellence

Participants in the Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE) program will earn a mark of distinction from a world-class university, gain access to a powerful global network, and enjoy the flexibility of completing the program in up to three years. A UC Berkeley Certificate of Business Excellence allows individuals to create a personal learning journey structured by our four academic pillars to gain management essentials in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Finance to drive both personal and organizational development.

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Here are 7 free AI classes you can take online from top tech firms, universities

AI set the tech world on fire last year and it’s not stopping anytime soon.

Almost a quarter of global jobs is expected to change within the next five years thanks to AI , and with only a small percentage of workers with skills in this field, the rush to learn the ins-and-outs of AI is ever more important. 

Embark on an AI revolution with UT Austin. Two course start dates per year. Accessible $10,000 tuition.

“AI is providing people with on-demand learning anywhere they are at any time of day on any day,” says Jared Curham, a professor of work and organizational studies at MIT’s Sloan School of Management . Curhan recently launched two new AI-powered courses focused on the world of strategic negotiation and says that the technology is overall making education more accessible with personalized feedback and coaching.

While there are an increasing number of full-fledged AI degree programs , including within business schools , some students may be looking for a simpler or self-paced route. If you’re interested in learning more about this in-demand field, several top tech firms and universities offer free online courses that serve as an introduction to AI technologies.

AWS Skill Builder

Amazon has more than 100 free and low-cost AI courses and learning resources available through AWS . Learners can obtain the basic skills in machine learning, generative AI, and foundational models. As a whole, the company has a commitment to provide free AI skills training to 2 million people by 2025.

The machine learning plan has nearly seven hours of free content in which individuals can learn the foundations of the technology, including relevant terminology, and decision-making processes. It also teaches users how to utilize Amazon SageMaker , the company’s machine learning platform used by companies like AT&T and LG .

Google: Google AI for Everyone

Google offers a beginner course for anyone who may be interested in how AI is being used in the real world. Google AI for Everyone , which is offered through online education platform edX , is a self-paced course that takes about four weeks to complete, assuming you dedicate two-to-three hours per week to the course. Participants learn about both AI and machine-learning principles and real-world applications of the technologies.

Google also covers what AI programming looks like and the process of teaching a computer how to learn. The course is taught by Laurence Moroney , who leads AI Advocacy at Google as part of the Google Research into Machine Intelligence (RMI) team. Nearly 12,000 people have enrolled in this free online course, according to edX.

Harvard University: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

If you’re one of the 5.7 million people who has taken Harvard University’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science course through edX , then the university’s introductory AI class might be the best option for you. CS50, which is one of the most popular free online courses of all time, is a prerequisite for Harvard’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python course.

This seven-week course covers AI algorithms, game-playing engines, handwriting recognition, and machine translation. Students have to commit between 10 and 30 hours per week to complete the course, which includes hands-on projects and lectures. The course is taught by David J. Malan , a renowned computer scientist and Harvard professor.

IBM: AI Foundations for Everyone

IBM, which is recognized as a revolutionary leader in emerging technologies, offers an AI Foundations for Everyone specialization through Coursera. The specialization includes three courses:

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Getting Started with AI using IBM Watson
• Building AI Powered Chatbots Without Programming   

The entire specialization takes about three months to complete, assuming you dedicate two hours per week to coursework. Students will learn the basics of what AI is, as well as its applications and ethical concerns. They’ll also hear from experts about starting a career in AI. The program is taught by Rav Ahuja and Antonio Cangiano, who work for IBM’s Skills Network . Participants earn a certificate upon completion.

Intel has a goal to provide more than 30 million people with AI skills by 2030 . As part of this commitment, the company provides dozens of free self-paced courses online on subjects such as deep learning for robotics, deep learning, and natural language processing. 

Intel also has several “AI Concepts” educational pages that will walk you through definitions, real-world examples, tools, and resources for topics such as generative AI, AI inference, and transfer learning. Additionally, the company provides free on-demand webinars on more advanced AI use cases such as optimizing transformer models, optimizing AI workloads, and AI performance tuning.

University of California—Davis: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics

As part of its Computational Social Science specialization through Coursera, the University of California—Davis offers a course focused on AI: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics . During this four-week course, participants learn about big data and its limitations, the history of artificial intelligence, and research ethics. The entire self-paced course takes about 12 total hours to complete.

The course is taught by Martin Hilbert, who is a professor at UC Davis and serves as a chair for computational social science. The course uses case studies to help participants learn AI concepts. More than 31,000 participants have completed this course, and those who do earn a certificate that can be shared on LinkedIn.

University of Pennsylvania: AI for Business

For someone who may be looking to break into AI or who wants to learn more about the applications of this new technology to different industries, the University of Pennsylvania offers a string of courses focused on artificial intelligence. The AI for Business specialization includes four courses:

• AI Fundamentals for Non-Data Scientists
• AI Applications in Marketing and Finance
• AI Applications in People Management
• AI Strategy and Governance  

These beginner courses take a total of about four months to complete and culminate in an applied learning project. Program participants complete peer-reviewed exercises to illustrate what they’ve learned about data analytics, machine learning tools, and people management. The specialization is taught by eight UPenn professors from the Wharton School , a top-ranked business school by Fortune Education, and other professors from the university. The courses are offered through online education platform Coursera, and students can earn a certificate that can be displayed on their LinkedIn profile.

Frequently asked questions

Which course is best in ai.

There is no one best course or program since AI is still so new. What ultimately matters is your curiosity to learn about AI, which you can do by working directly with prompt engineering or machine learning to gain hands-on skills.

Can I learn AI in three months?

You can certainly learn the foundations of AI in three months—especially if you already have a background in computer science. It is important to keep in mind that because AI is always changing and developing, you will need to keep up to date with the latest trends if you are looking to pursue a career focused on working with the technology.

How to learn AI for beginners?

Taking  free AI courses on platforms such as Udemy or Codecademy is a great place to learn AI if you’re a beginner. You can also learn AI by watching YouTube videos or reading through AI subreddits. The number of ways to learn AI are only growing, so there is ultimately no perfect path. Above all, just be curious, ask important questions, and don’t be afraid to dive down rabbit holes

Check out all of  Fortune’ s  rankings of degree programs , and learn more about specific career paths .

Sydney Lake contributed to this piece.

Rethink AI and its potential to innovate in this 6-week online course from MIT Sloan.

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Examine the technology behind AI over 6 weeks on this Oxford online programme.

Master in Public Policy

Understand complex public problems and craft concrete solutions in this rigorous two-year program

Key Program Information

Program Length: Two years (varies for students pursuing joint or concurrent degrees)

Degree Awarded: Master in Public Policy

Admission Application Deadline: December 2024

Financial Aid Application Deadline: January 2025

Contact the MPP Program

79 John F. Kennedy Street Littauer Building, Room 133 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Become an expert problem solver

The Master in Public Policy Program provides you with a conceptual toolkit rooted in the social sciences and adapted for action.

A defining feature of the Master in Public Policy (MPP) Program is its commitment to practice. Take what you learn here and apply it right away—through capstone exercises, case studies, experiential learning opportunities, and optional internships—to deliver lasting results.

At the heart of the program is a cross-disciplinary core curriculum that exposes you to the analytic methods, conceptual frameworks, and habits of mind that empower you to craft solutions for real-world public problems.

“At HKS, my professors taught me valuable quantitative skills, strategies on working multilaterally with different stakeholders in different sectors, the power of storytelling, and how to build an effective organization.”  —Sebastian Agignoae MPP 2022

About the MPP Program

Curriculum overview.

The MPP curriculum will broaden your perspective and sharpen skills to prepare you for a successful career in public service.

The first year of the MPP Program focuses on the cross-disciplinary fundamentals of policy design, analysis, and implementation. You will take core courses to develop professional competencies in: 

• Financial management
• Negotiation
• Policy design and delivery
• Quantitative analysis
• Applied history

Areas of Focus

As a complement to the MPP core curriculum, you will also choose a  Policy Area of Concentration (PAC)  in one of five areas: 

• Business and Government Policy
• Democracy, Politics, and Institutions
• International and Global Affairs 
• Political and Economic Development
• Social and Urban Policy 

Summer Internships

While it isn’t a formal requirement, most MPP students take on a  policy-oriented internship  during the summer after the first year. You’ll apply what you’ve learned in class to gain deeper insights; use new skills; and face challenges in different professional areas, policy fields, or parts of the world.

Core Curriculum

Most first-year MPP students take 38 credits, which consists of 18 core course credits in the fall and 16 core course credits credits in the spring. Many students also begin taking elective courses in the spring of their first year.

Required Core Courses (First Year)

• Resources, Incentives, and Choices I: Markets and Market Failures (API-101, 4 credits)
• Quantitative Analysis and Empirical Methods (API-201, 4 credits)
• Policy Design and Delivery I (API-501, 4 credits)
• Race and Racism in the Making of the United States as a Global Power (DPI-385M, 2 credits)
• Race and Racism in Public Policies, Practices, and Perspectives (DPI-386M, 2 credits)
• Fundamentals of Negotiation Analysis and Practice (MLD-220M, 2 credits)
• Resources, Incentives, and Choices II: Analysis of Public Policy (API-102, 4 credits)
• Empirical Methods II ( API-202M , 2 credits & API-203M , 2 credits)
• Politics and Ethics in Unstable Times (DPI-200, 4 credits)
• Spring Exercise (API-500M, 0 credits)

Spring Exercise

The first-year MPP curriculum culminates in the Spring Exercise, a two-week simulation that applies the tools and concepts of the first-year core to a real-world, real-time policy issue. 

During the Exercise, you are assigned to a five-person team tasked with forging solutions to a deliberately tough challenge. You’ll conduct research, attend sessions and presentations that link the topic to your core courses, and work with your team to prepare a package of policy and management recommendations. 

Required Core Courses (Second Year)

• Policy Area of Concentration year-long seminar (or “PAC Seminar”), including completion of the Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE) (4 credits)
• PAC electives (8-20 credits dependent on PAC/Concentration)

Policy Analysis Exercise

The Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE)  is the capstone of the MPP experience.

The PAC Seminars familiarize you with key issues and policy debates in your particular area and guide you through the PAE writing process. Once you declare your PAE topic, you will be assigned a faculty advisor with the expertise to help you succeed.  

During the PAE, you develop solutions for a policy or management problem that your client—a public or nonprofit organization—is grappling with. You and your client work together to scope the problem, examine the context,  gather data, formulate and evaluate options, and make actionable recommendations. The final analysis—usually around 40 pages or 10,000 words—gives you the opportunity to integrate the technical skills and specialized knowledge you have gained from the MPP curriculum while also helping your client organization create public value.

Learn more about the Policy Analysis Exercise and read past examples. 

Degree Requirements

The MPP Program consists of four semesters of full-time coursework in residence at HKS. 

To graduate, you must: 

• Earn at least 72 credits, which must include the required core curriculum, your PAC requirements, capstone experiences, and electives
• Matriculate as a full-time, in-residence student and take between 12-24 credits per semester
• Finish with a GPA of B or better
• Earn a B- or higher in all required MPP core courses, and PAC requirements, as well as a passing grade for the Spring Exercise, PAE, and PAC Seminar

Joint and Concurrent Degrees

You might consider  pursuing a second degree jointly or concurrently  if you’re interested in how the world’s challenges can be addressed at the intersection of public policy and business, law, medicine, design, or other fields.

Pursuing a joint or concurrent degree reduces coursework and residency requirements and makes it possible to earn two degrees in a shorter amount of time.

Joint Degrees

As an MPP student, you can pursue a joint degree —either an MBA at  Harvard Business School  or a JD at  Harvard Law School —that involves carefully crafted and integrated coursework.

Concurrent Degrees

You can pursue a concurrent degree in business, law, medicine, design, or another field—as long as it is:

• A professional degree (an MBA, MD, or JD; not a PhD or an academic master’s)
• At least a two-year program
• Completed at a partner school

The concurrent degree program allows you to pursue degrees at HKS and at a partner school; however, the coursework is not as closely integrated as the joint degree program. As a concurrent degree student, you are responsible for weaving together the two halves of your learning experience.

Faculty members  at HKS aren’t just teachers. They are global experts who shape public policy, advise governments, and help run major institutions in the United States and abroad. Learn more about our core MPP faculty members.

John Donahue

MPP Faculty Chair; Raymond Vernon Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Marcella Alsan

Angelopoulos Professor of Public Policy

Desmond Ang

Assistant Professor of Public Policy

Christopher Norio Avery

Roy E. Larsen Professor of Public Policy

Gloria Ayee

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Jeeyang Rhee Baum

Jonathan Borck

Cornell Brooks

Hauser Professor of the Practice of Nonprofit Organizations; Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership 

Michela Carlana

Dara Kay Cohen

Professor of Public Policy

Suzanne Cooper

Academic Dean for Teaching and Curriculum; Edith M. Stokey Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Justin de Benedictis-Kessner

Pınar Doğan

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Lecturer in Public Policy

Anthony Foxx

Emma Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership

Archon Fung

Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government

Jason Furman

Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy

Sharad Goel

Yanilda Gonzlez

Juan Jimenez

Juliette Kayyem

Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security

Robert Lawrence

Albert L. Williams Professor of International Trade and Investment

30th Anniversary Associate Professor of Health Care Policy, HMS

Elizabeth Linos

Emma Bloomberg Associate Professor of Public Policy and Management

Brian Mandell

Mohamed Kamal Senior Lecturer in Negotiation and Public Policy

Liz McKenna

Julia Minson

Associate Professor of Public Policy

Khalil Gibran Muhammad

Ford Foundation Professor of History, Race, and Public Policy

Thomas Patterson

Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press

Christopher Robichaud

Senior Lecturer in Ethics and Public Policy

Eric Rosenbach

Juan Saavedra

Benjamin Schneer

Daniel Schneider

Malcolm Wiener Professor of Social Policy, HKS; Professor of Sociology, FAS

Mark Shepard

Kathryn Sikkink

Ryan Family Professor of Human Rights Policy

Sandra Susan Smith

Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Professor of Criminal Justice, HKS; Professor of Sociology, FAS; Carol K. Pforzheimer Professor, Radcliffe

Teddy Svoronos

Charles Taylor

Stephen Walt

Robert and Renee Belfer Professor of International Affairs

Setti Warren

Mpp at a glance.

*Statistics are based on a five-year average.

Employment Snapshot: MPP Class of 2023 Employment Sectors

Featured MPP stories

A new graduate heads for u.s. space force.

Megan Cordone MPP 2023 is a rocket enthusiast who combined her strengths in physics and policy to pursue a public service career.

Strengthening public institutions

Austin Boral MPP/MBA 2023 wants public officials to retain and share what they learn tackling the most complex public problems.

Shaping AI policy

Grace Park MPP 2023 is exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and public policy.

“I believe every public servant should be polished in a basic toolset: economics, ethics, statistics, policy analysis, negotiations, leadership. The MPP core offers that and more.” 

Hiram ríos hernández mpp 2017 , applying to the mpp program, prerequisites.

To apply to the MPP Program, you  must have:

• A bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record 
• Evidence of quantitative proficiency such as success in undergraduate-level economics, statistics, or calculus courses, regardless of your undergraduate major

Work experience is not strictly required but is an advantage for admission, and more importantly, for making the most of the MPP experience. Incoming MPP students typically have 2-3 years of professional work experience.

How to Apply

A complete application to the MPP Program includes: 

• Online application
• Three letters of recommendation
• GRE or GMAT required
• Non-native English speakers who did not earn an undergraduate degree conducted in English must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English exam results
• Academic transcripts
• $100 application fee or waiver

Read more about how to apply .  

The application for the 2025-2026 academic year will be available in September 2024. There is one admission application deadline and one start date for each degree program per year. You may apply to only one master's degree program per admissions cycle. 

Tuition & Fees

The cost of attendance for the 2024-2025 academic year is outlined in  Funding Your Master’s Education  to help you plan financially for our master’s degree programs. Living expense costs are based on residence in Cambridge. The 2025-2026 academic year rates will be published in March 2025. HKS tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. 

Financing your education is a partnership—we are here to help guide you. You are strongly encouraged to explore all  funding opportunities .

Learn more about the HKS community

Student life, student stories, admissions & financial aid blog.

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35 Facts About Lyubertsy

Written by Tate Lewin

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Lyubertsy is a fascinating city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history and vibrant culture, Lyubertsy has become a prominent destination for both tourists and locals alike. This article will take you on a journey through 35 interesting facts about Lyubertsy, providing you with a comprehensive overview of this enchanting city. From its historical landmarks and architectural wonders to its renowned festivals and local cuisine, Lyubertsy has something to offer for everyone. So, buckle up and get ready to explore the hidden gems and fascinating trivia that make Lyubertsy such a remarkable place to visit.

Key Takeaways:

• Lyubertsy, a city in Russia, is known for its rich history, cultural events, and vibrant community. From museums to parks, it offers something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
• With a population of over 190,000, Lyubertsy boasts a strong sense of community, low crime rate, and warm hospitality. It’s a city with a high standard of living and a rich cultural heritage.

Lyubertsy is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast of Russia.

Nestled in the southeastern part of Moscow , Lyubertsy is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful landscapes.

The city is named after the Russian nobleman Dmitry Lyubertsy.

Dmitry Lyubertsy was a prominent figure in the 19th century and played a significant role in the development of the region.

Lyubertsy is home to a population of over 190,000 people.

With a large and diverse community, the city offers a unique blend of traditions, languages, and cultures.

The city is famous for its industrial sector.

Lyubertsy is known for its manufacturing plants, including the production of machinery, electronics, and textiles.

Lyubertsy has a rich cultural heritage.

The city is home to several museums, art galleries, and theaters, showcasing the talent and creativity of its residents.

The Lyubertsy District is dotted with picturesque parks and green spaces.

Residents and visitors can enjoy leisurely walks, picnics, and outdoor activities in the city’s numerous parks and gardens.

Lyubertsy is well-connected to Moscow through an extensive transportation network.

Commuting to and from the city is convenient, thanks to the availability of buses, trains, and metro lines.

The city experiences a continental climate.

Winters in Lyubertsy are cold and snowy, while summers are warm and moderately humid.

Lyubertsy has a rich sporting culture.

The city is home to various sports complexes, arenas, and stadiums, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle among its residents.

The famous Russian singer, Alla Pugacheva, was born in Lyubertsy.

Alla Pugacheva, often referred to as the “Queen of Russian Pop,” is a beloved figure in the music industry.

The Lyubertsy Railway Station is an important transportation hub.

It connects the city to other parts of Russia, making travel accessible and convenient for residents and visitors.

Lyubertsy is known for its vibrant cultural events and festivals.

Throughout the year, the city hosts various celebrations, showcasing its rich traditions, music, and dance.

The city has a thriving educational system.

Lyubertsy is home to several schools, colleges, and universities, providing quality education to its residents.

Lyubertsy offers a range of recreational activities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy swimming, ice skating, skiing, and other outdoor activities in the city’s sports complexes and recreational centers.

The Lyubertsy History Museum preserves the city’s historical artifacts.

The museum showcases the rich history and heritage of Lyubertsy, allowing visitors to delve into its past.

The city has a variety of shopping centers and markets.

From local boutiques to large malls, Lyubertsy offers plenty of options for shopping enthusiasts.

Lyubertsy has a strong sense of community.

Residents actively participate in local events, volunteer programs, and social initiatives, fostering a close-knit and supportive environment.

The city is known for its delicious Russian cuisine.

Visitors can savor traditional dishes such as borscht, pelmeni, and blini in Lyubertsy’s charming restaurants and cafes.

Lyubertsy is surrounded by picturesque countryside.

Nature lovers can explore the nearby forests, lakes, and rivers, offering tranquility and an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

The city has several architectural landmarks.

From historical buildings to modern structures, Lyubertsy boasts a diverse range of architectural styles.

Lyubertsy is a hub for arts and culture.

The city embraces various art forms, including music, theater, painting, and sculpture.

Lyubertsy has a low crime rate.

The city’s focus on security and community well-being contributes to a safe and secure living environment.

Lyubertsy celebrates its rich heritage through folk festivals.

Traditional music, dance, and costumes take center stage during these vibrant celebrations.

The city has a well-developed healthcare system.

Residents have access to modern medical facilities and clinics, ensuring their well-being.

Lyubertsy is a city of historical significance.

It played a crucial role in Russia’s past and preserves its heritage through museums and historical sites.

Lyubertsy is home to many talented artists and musicians.

The city’s vibrant creative scene showcases local talent and promotes artistic expression.

The city has a strong sense of environmental consciousness.

Efforts are made to promote sustainability, green initiatives, and conservation of natural resources.

Lyubertsy hosts various cultural exhibitions and events.

These events provide a platform for artists, craftsmen, and cultural enthusiasts to showcase their work.

The city is known for its warm hospitality.

Visitors can experience the friendly and welcoming nature of the locals during their stay in Lyubertsy.

Lyubertsy is a center for academic research and innovation.

The city promotes scientific development and fosters collaboration between educational institutions and industries.

The Lyubertsy City Park is a popular recreational spot.

With its lush greenery, walking trails, and recreational facilities, the park offers a refreshing escape for residents.

Lyubertsy celebrates its rich history through historical reenactments.

These events allow visitors to step back in time and experience the city’s past firsthand.

The city is known for its impressive Soviet-era architecture.

Visitors can admire the unique architectural style and grandeur of buildings constructed during the Soviet era.

Lyubertsy is well-connected to other major cities in Russia.

Traveling to and from Lyubertsy is convenient due to its excellent transportation infrastructure.

Lyubertsy offers a high standard of living.

The city provides its residents with quality amenities, services, and a favorable quality of life.

With its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant community, Lyubertsy offers a unique and compelling experience for residents and visitors alike. Whether it’s exploring the city’s museums, enjoying the scenic beauty of its parks, or immersing oneself in its art and culture, Lyubertsy has something for everyone. Discover the charm and allure of this remarkable city and experience the warmth and hospitality of its residents.

In conclusion, Lyubertsy is a fascinating city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and plenty of attractions to explore. From its beautiful parks and gardens to its impressive architectural landmarks, Lyubertsy offers something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or simply enjoying the local cuisine, this city has it all. So, if you’re planning a visit to Russia, be sure to include Lyubertsy in your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!

Q: What is the population of Lyubertsy?

A: The population of Lyubertsy is around 180,000.

Q: What are some popular tourist attractions in Lyubertsy?

A: Some popular tourist attractions in Lyubertsy include Lyubertsy Museum of Local Lore, Novodevichy Cemetery, and St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Q: Is Lyubertsy a safe city for tourists?

A: Yes, Lyubertsy is generally considered to be a safe city for tourists. However, it is always recommended to exercise caution and take normal safety precautions.

Q: What is the weather like in Lyubertsy?

A: The weather in Lyubertsy can vary depending on the season. Summers are generally mild and warm, while winters can be cold with snowfall.

Q: Are there good transportation options in Lyubertsy?

A: Yes, Lyubertsy is well-connected to Moscow and other nearby cities through public transportation options like buses and trains.

Q: Are there any local specialties or dishes to try in Lyubertsy?

A: Lyubertsy is known for its delicious Russian cuisine, including dishes like borscht, pelmeni, and blini.

Q: Can I find accommodations in Lyubertsy?

A: Yes, there are a variety of accommodations available in Lyubertsy, ranging from hotels to guesthouses and apartments for rent.

Q: Is English widely spoken in Lyubertsy?

A: While English may not be widely spoken, many people in the tourist areas and establishments can understand and communicate in English.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Soviet Band of ‘Vigilantes’ Is a Youth Gang Known for Beating Nonconformists

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A gang of thugs was suddenly thrust into the spotlight this week when Soviet officials said gang members, who they called “vigilantes,” broke up demonstrations by dissidents.

The gang, named “Lyubers” after the Moscow suburb Lyubertsy where most of them live, roams the streets of the capital at night, beating punk rockers and other nonconformist teen-agers and robbing black marketeers.

According to press accounts, Lyubers mix Russian nationalism with right-wing philosophy, body-building and martial arts. The gang “uniform” consists of voluminous checked pants, tight white shirts and narrow black ties.

‘Vigilantes’ Blamed

On Thursday, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, Gennady I. Gerasimov, said “home-grown vigilantes,” apparently from the Lyubers gang, not plainclothes security agents, were responsible for roughing up demonstrators seeking emigration rights and the release of a Jewish activist from prison.

It was clear at the scene that the burly men who beat the demonstrators and some Western reporters were not teen-age thugs, but agents backed by police and the KGB secret police.

However, it was very unusual for a Soviet official to acknowledge the existence of such a gang, especially in a news briefing for Western reporters. Teen-age gangs are nothing new to Moscow, but they have rarely been given any attention in the official press.

Opposed to Hippies

The magazine Ogonyok said in a recent article that Lyubers are opposed to nonconformist youths, including hippies, punk rockers, heavy metal fans known as metallists and break dancers.

“Hippies, punks and metallists shame the Soviet way of life,” gang member Boris Taranov, 17, told Ogonyok. “We want to clean them out of the capital.”

The magazine said police know about the activities of the Lyubers but have not been able to take action “for the simple reason that hippies, punks and metallists who have suffered from the Lyubers don’t go to the police.”

The magazine said many Lyubers seem to believe in this “philosophy” but others simply use it as an excuse to beat and rob fellow Muscovites, especially black marketeers who usually carry large sums of money.

No Estimates of Size

There are no estimates on the size of the gang. A gang leader, asked by an Ogonyok reporter how many people he could assemble in a few hours, said a conservative estimate was 200.

The gang members practice boxing, wrestling, judo, karate and weightlifting in basement gymnasiums built from the proceeds of selling stolen goods, Ogonyok said.

“Lyubers practically don’t drink, they don’t smoke and as far as we know, they don’t take drugs,” reporter Vladimir Yakovlev wrote in an article for the magazine.

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