Your BSc International Business Administration graduation

A tradition that dates back to at least the mid-13th century, the cortège is a formal procession that carries university faculty, students and graduands to academic events. 

The procession is led by the beadle (Dutch: pedel), bearing the university's ceremonial staff. 

The perspex and silver ceremonial staff was made by the Amsterdam silversmith Chris F. Steenbergen (1920), and presented to the university by the fellow universities when Erasmus University Rotterdam was officially opened on 8 November 1973.

Forget grand buildings – Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University began its journey in 1970, at an admittedly large villa in the Rotterdam suburb of Kralingen.  It wasn't flashy, but it marked a turning point, fueled by the city's business spirit and a desire to raise the bar for Dutch business education.

The school's roots stretch back to 1913 and the ambition to elevate commerce training.  But by the 1960s, a new era beckoned. Universities joined forces with influential Dutch multinationals, heavyweights like Shell and Unilever, recognizing the need for a different kind of business leader – one equipped for an increasingly globalized world.

The result was Rotterdam School of Management, its inaugural class in 1970 a select group of just 30 students.  This wasn't about mass education; it was about nurturing exceptional talent, fostering minds that could navigate the complexities of international business.

Those early years in Kralingen were about more than just lessons. The school tapped into Rotterdam's business networks and included technical training, giving students a real-world edge. There was a feeling that this place was building a new generation of Dutch business leaders who would leave their mark.

Of course, the villa was just the beginning. Rotterdam School of Management is now a global player, with alumni shaping industries around the world.  But as you graduate today, take a moment to think about that house in Kralingen, and just 30 students. It's a reminder that even the grandest ambitions often have modest beginnings.

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Michel received his Ph.D. from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University in 2012 for his dissertation, Profits or Professionalism: On Designing Professional Service Firms. Prior to joining RSM as Dean of Education, he worked at HEC Paris where he served as the academic director of CEMS HEC and taught in the M1 and M2 and PhD. programmes.

Bruno strengthens alumni engagement by leading key initiatives like the alumni mentoring programme and Alumni Career Days. With a Master of Public Administration and over five years of experience, Bruno has effectively driven strategic projects that enhance alumni connections, support RSM’s objectives, and elevate alumni experiences through expert project management, stakeholder engagement, and volunteer coordination.