MSM Graduation 2026: Celebrating achievement and looking ahead

On Thursday 10 September, MSM welcomed graduates, family members, friends, partners and special guests to MECC Maastricht for the MSM Graduation 2026. The ceremony brought together more than 140 graduates from the Master in Management and MBA programmes, including students who studied in Maastricht and graduates from MSM’s partner programmes in Romania, Hungary, Kuwait, China and Indonesia.

Coming from different countries, cultures and professional backgrounds, the Class of 2026 gathered in Maastricht to celebrate the completion of an important chapter in their personal and professional journeys. Surrounded by those who supported them along the way, the graduates received their degrees and reflected on the experiences, challenges and connections that shaped their time at MSM.

Among the distinguished guests joining the celebration were H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Aljarallah, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait, accompanied by Mr. Fahad Alobaid, Third Secretary at the Embassy of Kuwait, as well as Mr. Gao Jie, Second Secretary in the Education Section, and Mr. Li Jingjun, First Secretary in the Consular Section at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. MSM was honoured to welcome them to Maastricht to celebrate this milestone with the graduates.

Leadership in a changing world

Master of Ceremony Oliver Olson opened the Graduation Ceremony, before inviting MSM Director a.i. Dr. Diederik de Boer to address the Class of 2026.

Drawing on lessons from his experiences as a mountain guide and his international career with the United Nations, Dr. de Boer encouraged graduates to lead with resilience, responsibility and a strong moral compass. In a world of uncertainty and complex transitions, he urged them to stay true to their values and have the courage to take on difficult challenges: “The world is waiting for leaders with the courage to look at a difficult path, keep their backs straight, and climb it anyway.”

Prof. Dr. Mariëlle Heijltjes, Dean of Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE), continued by encouraging graduates to see their degree not as the completion of their learning journey, but as preparation for navigating a world of work characterised by constant change and uncertainty. Highlighting the importance of judgement, responsibility, cross-cultural understanding and self-leadership, she urged them to remain curious and adaptable throughout their careers: “Wear your degree not as proof that you finished learning, but as evidence that you’ve learned how to keep learning.”

Shaping an AI-driven future responsibly

The keynote address was delivered by Liesbeth Wijlaars, AI Strategist, CEO of The AI Playground and founder of herAI.tech, who drew on her experience in the field of AI to explore the opportunities and responsibilities that come with the rapid development of artificial intelligence.

As AI increasingly shapes organisations, jobs and society, she encouraged graduates not simply to ask what technology can do, but to consider where and how it should be used. She emphasised that managers and leaders have an important role in ensuring that AI is implemented responsibly, with diverse perspectives, human judgement and societal impact taken into account.

Her central message to the graduates was clear: “The fact that technology can do something doesn’t mean that we should do it.”

Celebrating academic achievement

Then came the moment at the heart of Graduation Day: seeing the Class of 2026 take to the stage to receive their degrees. One by one, graduates from the Master in Management and MBA programmes were recognised for the commitment and perseverance that brought them to this milestone, while family members, friends, faculty and staff celebrated alongside them.

Following a musical intermezzo, two graduates received special recognition for their outstanding academic performance. Lukas Romahn received the 2026 Master in Management Student of the Year Award, while Full-time MBA graduate Benjamin Clifford received the 2026 MBA Student of the Year Award.

The Class of 2026 in their own words

The ceremony also gave graduates themselves the opportunity to look back on their MSM experience and share what they would take with them into the next stage of their lives.

Speaking on behalf of the Master in Management graduates, Parmiss Ghahremani Qajar reflected on the journey from strangers meeting for the first time to a close-knit international group that supported one another through academic challenges and difficult personal moments. Looking back on everything they had overcome together, she encouraged fellow graduates to carry that resilience and confidence into their next chapter: “Take the gamble on yourself. You will survive it, just look at where you are today.”

Representing the Full-time MBA class, Pedro Farfan reflected on how an intensive year of study became much more than earning a degree. Bringing together classmates from eleven countries, the programme created friendships and shared experiences that offered lessons extending far beyond the classroom. Looking back, he highlighted how much they had learned from one another: “I got wiser. Not because a textbook taught me something profound, but because the people did.”

Speaking on behalf of the Global Online MBA graduates, Christi Fennemore reflected on the challenge of combining an intensive MBA with careers, families and other responsibilities, as well as the friendships formed across countries and through screens. Above all, she highlighted how the programme changed the way graduates approach complex business challenges, encouraging them to listen to different perspectives and remain curious: “It doesn’t simply give us more answers. It teaches us to ask better questions.”

Looking back on the journey

Before the ceremony drew to a close, the graduates were treated to a special surprise: the Class of 2026 Yearbook video. Bringing together moments from throughout their time at MSM, the video offered a chance to look back on the experiences they shared, both inside and outside the classroom.

One final tradition

To close the ceremony, Dr. Stuart Dixon, MSM Director of Academics, invited the graduates to rise for one final Graduation tradition. With the words “Class of 2026, you are dismissed,” caps flew into the air as graduates, guests, faculty and staff celebrated the end of the ceremony together.

Congratulations to the MSM Class of 2026!

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 2026 Yearbook video, click here