Global MBA: a year that broadens horizons

14 August 2025

From the first day in the classroom to the final handshake, the Global MBA at Bologna Business School is a journey that transforms the way you see the world.

Over twelve months, theory and practice are woven together, with classroom learning enriched by meetings with business leaders, and the boundaries of learning extending all the way to Silicon Valley.

It all begins with the Kick-Off Week—the moment when the new class meets, defines its working approach, and starts building that network of relationships which will run throughout the year. This is where the rules of the game are set: clear goals, openness to dialogue, and personal as well as team responsibility.

Weeks on campus guide participants through essential areas such as leadership, geopolitics, and the specific focus of each track. The Global MBA at BBS offers five specializations, all taught in English and lasting 12 months, combining targeted courses with an internship and project work in a company. AI and Manufacturing prepares participants to lead industrial transformation through artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced technologies. Design, Fashion and Luxury Goods explores the creative and strategic dynamics of Made in Italy and the global luxury industry. Food and Wine offers a comprehensive view of the agri-food value chain, from terroir to internationalization strategy. Supercars, Superbikes and Motorsports takes participants into the heart of the Motor Valley to understand how performance, design, and heritage translate into competitive advantage. Sustainability and Innovation combines environmental responsibility with economic growth, developing the skills needed to create value through a sustainable approach.

Across all tracks, participants attend courses on key topics of contemporary society and business. In this year’s edition, the Developing Leadership Mindset course with Sarah Bettmann encouraged participants to reflect on themselves, to give and receive feedback, and to make decisions under pressure. It also opened the dialogue with leaders such as Joe Zadeh, Investor and former Head of Product at Airbnb, and Maria Katharina Rauchenberger, Legal & Compliance Director, EMEA, Ruffino. Key geopolitical issues were explored under the guidance of Alec Ross and through contributions from distinguished guests such as Mauricio Macri, former President of Argentina and of Boca Juniors. Today, the ability to interpret global dynamics and their impact on value chains, energy, and technology is essential.

Beyond the classroom, learning continued with company visits to organizations such as Ferrari, guided by Dennis De Munk, Zonin1821, Bisazza, cutting-edge logistics hubs, major telecommunications players like Vodafone, luxury houses such as Tom Ford, and innovators capable of elevating Emilia’s food tradition to a new level, such as Dispensa Emilia. Each visit was an opportunity to observe how heritage, innovation, and market positioning intersect in different contexts.

The Intensive Week blended paths and competencies, challenging participants to solve real-world cases under tight deadlines. The roundtable on energy transition sparked debate on sector priorities and investment opportunities, in a context where sustainability cuts across all tracks.

Strengthening all of this is the BBS community. Alumni not only maintain a strong connection with the school, but also lead initiatives that combine social impact and entrepreneurial spirit. It is tangible proof of how the Global MBA continues to generate value well beyond the completion of the program.

By the end of the year, the awareness is clear: leading a company today requires an international vision, a focus on sustainability, the ability to read contexts, and the agility to act swiftly. The Global MBA at Bologna Business School is a year that leaves a profound mark: it opens minds, multiplies opportunities, and transforms ideas into action.