MSM Graduation 2025: Celebrating ambition, growth, and new beginnings

Bright smiles, proud families, and an air buzzing with excitement marked the MSM Graduation Day 2025. Graduates from the Master in Management and MBA programmes came together to celebrate their hard-earned achievements, share stories of personal growth, and step confidently into the next chapter of their professional and personal lives. The ceremony reminded everyone that graduation is not just an endpoint. It is a stepping stone toward a future full of possibilities and purpose.

Graduates from the residential programmes were joined by peers from MSM’s partner institutions, including Nanjing University, KMCM Kuwait, BISM Romania and Corvinus University Hungary.

Words of welcome and reflection
The ceremony began with a warm welcome by the Master of Ceremony Oliver Olson, followed by the opening speech of MSM’s Director Dr. Diederik de Boer. While celebrating the graduates’ hard work, Dr. de Boer urged them to lead with integrity in a rapidly changing world. Drawing from his own international career, he highlighted the importance of finding common ground across cultures and building bridges in diverse environments. He identified three major global challenges, artificial intelligence, geopolitics and human rights, and the energy transition, calling on graduates to balance innovation with responsibility. Concluding his speech, he encouraged the Class of 2025 to redefine success, embrace innovation, and lead with courage and compassion to create a sustainable and inclusive future.

Following Dr. Diederik de Boer, Prof. Dr. Mariëlle Heijltjes, Dean of the UM School of Business and Economics, addressed the graduates, reminding them that a graduation ceremony is not only a celebration of accomplishments but also the start of a new chapter. She emphasized that true leadership requires the courage to pause, reflect on unconscious patterns, and make changes when those patterns no longer serve one’s goals or purpose.

Prof. Dr. Heijltjes emphasized that real growth happens outside the comfort zone, where familiar patterns are disrupted. Moments like giving a first presentation or attending a first job interview bring discomfort, but also valuable learning. By observing and understanding your reactions in these situations, you can develop the courage to face new challenges and continue learning.

AI and innovation for a better world
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Carlo van de Weijer, General Manager Eindhoven AI System Institute (EAISI) and Director Smart Mobility at the Eindhoven University of Technology. In his presentation Dr. van de Weijer explored whether AI and robots will ultimately surpass humans and the ethical dilemmas this entails. He highlighted the role of robots in our daily lives and workplaces and explained how we, as a society, can develop a moral compass for this technology. The presentation of Dr. van de Weijer encouraged the graduates to think critically about the rapidly evolving role of AI and robotics in society. His insights highlight not only the technological possibilities but also the ethical responsibilities that come with innovation. By considering how humans interact with machines and the potential consequences of adopting machine-like thinking, graduates are reminded to approach their future careers with both technical expertise and a strong moral compass, preparing them to shape a responsible and human-centered technological future.

Key highlights of the day
After the inspiring speeches, the ceremony reached its most anticipated moment as each graduate proudly walked across the stage to receive their well-earned diploma. This symbolic milestone celebrated their hard work and perseverance, marking the official transition from student to graduate. Followed by the musical intermezzo, the Best Student Awards were handed out. This year, the 2025 Master in Management Best Student Award went to Namitha Santhosh Kumar, while Executive MBA graduate Leon Curling Hope was honoured with the 2025 MBA Best Student Award.

Voices from the graduates
The graduates’ speeches reflected a shared journey of courage, resilience, and personal growth shaped by the challenges and rewards of their experience. They celebrated the bravery of leaving home to study abroad, the tenacity to balance demanding coursework with work and life, and the unexpected friendships and opportunities that emerged along the way. Each speaker highlighted how the programme fostered global connections, leadership skills, and the humility to keep learning, while acknowledging the vital support of family, friends, classmates, and professors. Together, their words captured not just the achievement of earning the degree, but the transformation into stronger, more compassionate leaders ready to face the unknown.

A heartwarming surprise: The Class of 2025 Yearbook video
As the end of the ceremony was getting closer, the graduates were surprised by the Class of 2025 Yearbook video. This video captures some of the most memorable moments from our graduates’ journey at MSM, featuring inspiring reflections on their experiences and heartfelt messages of encouragement from MSM’s dedicated faculty and staff.

Class of 2025: You’re dismissed!
The ceremony concluded with an energetic ending as Dr. Stuart Dixon, MSM’s Director of Academics, called the graduates onto the stage for the traditional cap toss. With his words, “Class of 2025, you are dismissed,” the air filled with flying caps, applause, and cheers, marking a jubilant end to their graduation day.

Photos and videos
To see the pictures of Graduation Day, click here
To watch the full live stream, click here
To watch the Class of 2024 Yearbook video, click here
To watch the compilation video, click here