Dean Max Bergami at the Graduation Master Class 2024: a new chapter in the history of BBS
19 September 2024Bologna, Piazza Maggiore, September 6, 2024. A day that smells of history and the future. A unique moment not only for Bologna Business School but for the entire city. The heart of the city warmly welcomes the more than 900 graduates of the Class of 2024. Among the crowd, there are citizens, tourists, and many excited faces. But, most importantly, there are the families. Grandparents with tears in their eyes, brothers and sisters exchanging looks of complicity, proud and moved mothers and fathers. A collective embrace that encapsulates the deep meaning of this ceremony.
The Dean of BBS, Max Bergami, opens with an invitation to celebrate them, the families and friends. He asks everyone to stand and pay tribute to those who have supported the graduates on their journey, emphasizing how this support has been crucial in reaching a milestone that will change many lives. A gesture that embodies the spirit of BBS: a community built together with gratitude and respect.
The Dean’s acknowledgments do not overlook the faculty, a team of professionals who combine academic and practical expertise, representing the beating heart of the school. A heartfelt recognition that celebrates the dedication and passion that every day translate into an exceptional educational experience. The same excellence that has allowed the school to grow and innovate over time.
It is precisely in this context of growth that the Dean introduces the New Campus of Bologna Business School, inaugurated on this very occasion. A space that is much more than an architectural structure: it represents the future of this united and strong community and the place where the School for the New Millennium will be built. A place designed to welcome students, alumni, faculty, and everyone who contributes to making BBS a point of reference. “This new campus is the result of a shared vision for the future we want to build for BBS,” Bergami declared.
Located in front of Villa Guastavillani, the home of Bologna Business School since its foundation, the campus symbolizes a bridge between history, heritage, and innovation, between the school’s past and future. “It reflects our commitment to architectural excellence, sustainability, and promoting collaboration between academia, business, and the local community,” as Dean Bergami explained. The expansion of the campus is not just a sign of success achieved but also a commitment to the future: in a constantly evolving world, full of new and unexpected challenges, BBS prepares to face them by staying true to its values. “The growth of BBS, which ranks among the top 20 business schools out of over 6,000 operating worldwide” Bergami explained, “has necessitated the expansion of our facilities. Today, BBS serves over 4,500 participants annually across university master’s programs, MBAs, executive masters, short courses, and custom programs. Our participants come from 65 countries, bringing with them a passion for Italy and its industries. Our faculty consists of professors from both academia and the business world, along with visiting professors. For all of them, BBS is a second home.”
The new campus will thus be a place for meeting and exchange, where technology and innovation come together to add even more value to relationships, continuing to respond to the needs of a transforming society. “Even in an era when technology offers alternatives to in-person learning, we believe that human relationships are crucial,” emphasized Dean Bergami.
The Dean’s speech thus naturally intertwines with the central theme of community. In an age when technology could distance people, BBS reaffirms the value of learning based on relationships and participation. The campus has been designed to foster these connections, offering a space where alumni can always return to meet, teach, learn, and share experiences. It is the tangible future of the same community that today gathers in Piazza Maggiore.
With a message of hope and confidence, Bergami finally addresses the graduates of the Class of 2024. “I am very optimistic about your future, both professionally and personally, for many reasons,” he said, inviting them to look to the future with courage and determination, working together to build a better world. “You have learned to view challenges from different perspectives, combining diverse knowledge and viewpoints. You have the power to make a difference in your organizations and in society,” he added, urging them to carry forward the spirit of innovation and collaboration.
Dean Max Bergami’s speech at the Graduation Master Class 2024 resonates as a hymn to continuous growth, the importance of human relationships, and the role each person can play in society. A powerful message that the Class of 2024 will carry with them, transforming it into action as they venture into the next chapter of their lives.
