Graduation Master Class 2024: Milestones and New Beginnings
13 September 2024On September 6, 2024, Bologna Business School celebrated one of the most significant moments on its calendar: the Graduation Master Class 2024.
Set against the unique backdrop of Piazza Maggiore, the beating heart of Bologna, the BBS community came together to honor the success of its graduates. This event, eagerly awaited every year, is much more than just a ceremony: it marks the beginning of a new journey for the participants of the School’s Master and Executive Master programs, shaping the future of global business.
The decision to hold the event in Piazza Maggiore is symbolic and full of meaning. This historic site, a focal point of city life for centuries, once again hosted the ceremony, reaffirming the deep bond between the city of Bologna and BBS. As Romano Prodi, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, reminded the audience, “this diploma is not an endpoint, but rather a new beginning.” In his words, filled with awareness and realism, Prodi highlighted the global challenges and difficulties that graduates will face, from geopolitical tensions to the transformation of international markets, underscoring the critical role of business education as a tool for building a better future.
Max Bergami, Dean of Bologna Business School, opened his speech with an expression of deep gratitude to all those who supported the graduates during their academic journey, acknowledging the crucial role of families and friends, and paying tribute to the faculty, whose teachings extend beyond academics and enrich the personal growth of the students. “This ceremony is not only important for you, your friends, and your families, but also for our entire community,” Bergami emphasized. The Dean then highlighted a milestone in the School’s journey: the recent inauguration of the New Campus, designed by architect Mario Cucinella, a symbol of BBS’s ongoing growth and evolution. “This new campus represents a shared vision of the School’s future, where excellence, collaboration, and sustainability are the guiding values.”
Bologna Business School is now ranked among the top 20 business schools in the world, an extraordinary achievement that not only required the expansion of facilities but also an openness to new perspectives to meet the needs of an ever-changing society. “Despite the fact that technology offers alternatives to in-person learning, we believe that human relationships are fundamental,” Bergami reaffirmed, emphasizing the School’s commitment to maintaining an educational model based on community and personal connections.
The centerpiece of the ceremony was the Commencement Speech by Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, who offered a truly unique and valuable perspective on leadership and professional growth. Speaking with great sincerity, Resta shared her life experiences, addressing the graduates with inspiring words: “I’m not here to wish you success,” she declared, challenging the traditional understanding of the term. “Success, for me, is a misleading word. Life and careers are unpredictable paths, full of ups, downs, and dead ends. I wish you the strength to face the unexpected and the courage to adapt along the way.”
Resta also shared her concept of “réussite” – to succeed – understood as a personal process of realization and transformation, urging graduates to define their own life path. “Love, learn, legacy”: according to Resta, these are the three pillars of a successful career. “Fall in love with your professional mission, keep learning, and leave a lasting impact on the world,” she said, concluding her speech with a powerful call to action.
Among the most emotional moments was the speech by Daria Glebova, candidate for the Master in Digital Marketing and Communication and co-chair of the BBS Student Council. With great passion, Glebova shared her personal experience of change and growth: “When everything seemed out of reach, Bologna Business School gave me a new opportunity, a new beginning.” Speaking to her fellow students, she reminded them of the importance of perseverance: “Life is full of surprises, but with determination and the ability to reinvent yourself, you can go far.”
Matteo Recanatesi, candidate for the Executive MBA and co-chair of the BBS Student Council, also took the stage, emphasizing the importance of humanity as the key to professional success: “In a world where industrial production is increasingly influenced by robotics and artificial intelligence, it will be our humanity, our hearts, and our intelligence that will make the difference.”
The ceremony concluded with the official proclamation of the graduates, led by Giovanni Molari, Rector of the University of Bologna, who celebrated this moment as an important turning point in the life of each participant. However, beyond the emotion of the moment, the undeniable value of the speeches, and the beauty of being in Piazza Maggiore, what truly characterized this edition of the Graduation Master Class 2024 was the sense of belonging, the strength of the relationships formed during the journey, and the vision of a united community, ready to support its members at every stage of their careers.
