EAE News
6,800 people enjoy the 2019 Graduation Ceremony of EAE Business School
28 de June de 2019
The students at EAE's Madrid Campus graduated in an event that welcomed Pablo Isla, the Executive President of Inditex as the Patron of the graduating class of 2018/2019
The Pabellón Madrid Arena in the Spanish capital was the venue for the Graduation Ceremony of the class of 2018-2019 at EAE's Madrid Campus. Around 6,800 people attended the event, with 2,300 students and 4,500 guests, including members of the faculty and families. This year, students for 102 different countries on all five continents graduated at the ceremony. Most of them are from Spain and Latin America, but the School also congratulated new graduates from France, Russia, Austria, Norway, Germany, India and Morocco, to name just a few.
This is a proud and emotional moment for the EAE Community, which has watched the students evolve over the course of a year of effort. The Graduation Ceremony of EAE's Madrid Campus was attended by the following members of the Presidential Table: José Creuheras, the President of Grupo Planeta; Carlos Giménez, the CEO of Planeta Formación y Universidades; José Luis Fernández, the General Director of EAE Business School; Jorge Irigaray, the General Secretary of EAE Business School; Josep Maria Altarriba, the Dean of EAE Business School; Carmen Martos, the Professional Careers Director; and Irene Vilà, the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs at the Madrid Campus.
Hosted and introduced by Cristina Villanueva and Javier Ruiz Taboada, the ceremony boasted an exceptional Patron, Pablo Isla, the Executive President of Inditex. In his keynote speech, Pablo Isla shared some reflections on decision-making with a self-critical spirit from the perspective of your inner self, sincerity and "a commitment to yourselves". Moreover, he discussed values including effort, commitment to you work, humility and lifelong learning. "We have to strive to be happy every day. The secret to success is not in the goal but in the journey". Pablo Isla then listed the founding pillars of companies of the future: putting people ahead of the organization, searching for innovation and anticipating change, "finding flexible and effective solutions to complex problems", he added. Lastly, Executive President of Inditex stressed the importance of sustainability as a founding principle of the business model.
Pablo Isla encouraged the recent graduates to dream of the impossible and never to fall into the trap of complacency of arrogance. "Add value wherever you decide to go and embrace sacrifice, take care of the details and have fun. Enjoy what you are doing", advised the Inditex executive. "Don't forget the principles you have learned at the School and from your families. Rather than want to see all of you being happy, I want to see each of you being happy".
The graduation sashes were then presented to the 2,300 graduating students, who came to the stage to meet the official guests. Afterwards, they were shown an emotional surprise video starring members of the recent graduates' families.
The student representatives' message
Cristina Posada, a student on the Executive MBA, thanked the lecturers "for showing us that we can reach wherever we want to as we set our own limits". She also expressed her gratitude for the support of classmates, relatives, partners and friends. Cristina the encouraged the participants never to stop dreaming because "those who don't try will be those who don't achieve", she explained. The MBA student also highlighted EAE's human capital, the School's biggest asset, and the high degree of companionship among the students. "We have built a great team", she explained. Serendipity and a 0.16% probability of coinciding at EAE were part of the "magic" that has enabled the students to share this learning experience at the School. "Thanks for being my lovely coincidence. Thank you all", concluded the student representative of the graduating class 2018/2019.
The international origin of the students, the life lessons learned on an unbeatable experience and networking were among the aspects highlighted by Amanda Castro, a student on the Master in Marketing and Commercial Management, in her speech. She also underlined concepts such as leadership, decision-making and putting our heart into everything we do.
With respect to EAE Business School's international character, Ekaterina Galusinha, a student on the Master in Marketing & Sales defined her time at the school as one of the best experiences of her life at both a personal and professional level. Ekaterina highlighted other aspects including working as a team, adapting and committing, working together with responsibility and studying in Madrid, before summing up her gratitude with a emotive final claim: Let's make it happen!
Dennis Eberhardt, a student on the Master in Project Management, received the award for the Best Academic Record. EAE gives this award in recognition of the daily efforts and hard work of the student who heads the Dean's List 2018. Dennis loves living in Spain, where he is a big fan of the culture, weather and people. He expressed his pride at receiving this award. "I would like to thank everybody who has helped me, especially my lecturers and classmates". Dennis decided to do the Master in Project Management to focus on the supply chain. He is now looking for opportunities in other countries. He would recommend EAE because he has learned a great deal in the classes. "Everything has been perfect throughout my training and stay in Madrid".
Presentation of awards and accolades to companies, lecturers and students
One of the most emotional moments of the Madrid Graduation Ceremony was the presentation of awards and accolades. On this occasion, the members of the Presidential Table gave their recognition to the work of the companies, teachers and universities that EAE works with to guarantee its academic excellence.
María Gómez Seco, the Talent Acquisition Discipline Manager for Spain at BBVA, collected the Top Recruiter Award at the 2019 Graduation Ceremony in Madrid. The financial institution has close ties with EAE. "The School trains professionals who are going to be the driving force behind transformation. It is an honour to receive this accolade", explained María, who also highlighted the students' skills beyond their academic training, such as their drive and capacity to embrace diversity working in teams with different profile. BBVA is creating flat, collaborative structures, working based on projects and facilitating the contributions of every member of the team. The Talent Acquisition Discipline Manager for Spain at BBVA advised the recent graduates not to lose their passion, their desire to collaborate and their openness. "It is essential that you want to know, train and learn because we don't know what things will be like tomorrow", she added.
The International Academic Partner Award went to UC Berkeley. Diana Wu, the of the Extension of UC Berkeley, expressed her satisfaction at receiving the award. The top ranking educational institution at an international level "really values international students because they contribute to our global community". Diana went on to explain that aligning education, research and industry is a fundamental factor in achieving success in the future, before congratulating the EAE students, who she advised never to stop learning.
This year, the title of Best Lecturer on Executive Programs was awarded to Ángel del Castillo. The Director of the Global Executive MBA advised the graduates to open their minds in a changing environment in which "the speed of change has accelerated and we have to be constantly prepared to tackle these challenges". "Networking is essential in a vibrant community like EAE, where it is growing and extremely interesting", emphasized the award winner, who advised the students to keep learning and training.
Javier Rivas received the award for Best Lecturer on Full-Time Programs at EAE's Madrid Campus. The Director of the Master in Finance at the Madrid Campus expressed his satisfaction at receiving the award, defining the EAE student profile as "extremely international, with a passion for finance and very keen to learn". For the students, training at EAE has been a life experience on which "you not only acquire knowledge but also skills", he explained. He also advised the recent graduates to take risks and not to stay in a job just for the money. "You have to take risks in life", he emphasized.
José Luis Fernández, the General Director of EAE, quoted Charles Dickens' 'Tale of Two Cities' with respect to the best of times, encouraging the recent graduates to enjoy the new stage that they are embarking on with the knowledge and values they have acquired. "Thanks for letting us get the best out of each of you. Although you are finishing your academic stage at EAE today, this will always be your home", he concluded.
The ceremony culminated with the university anthem 'Gaudeamus Igitur', accompanied by an explosion of confetti. Drinks were then served at the Glass Palace, where the attendees had the chance to network, take photos and congratulate each other.