RSM dean of education, Prof. Michel Lander sported his CEMS socks and gave an opening address with an overview of what the CEMS programme entails, and what a significant advantage the new graduates have as CEMS alumni. Muriel Arts, CEO IMPACTING.today, gave the keynote speech. The overall ceremony was led by Gabi Helfert, executive director MSc programmes, who took the reins temporarily for Gina Kim, who is currently on leave. Two students were nominated by their graduating class to share the student address: Jef Adriaenssens, representing the autumn group, and Romanos Leivaditis, representing the spring group. Dr René Olie, academic director and associate professor of international and strategic management in RSM’s department of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, gave his observations about the graduating class and handed out the diplomas.
In her keynote speech, Muriel urged students to remember that they are the type of leaders that businesses and the world needs today. “You’ll find sceptics on your way and cynics everywhere. Don’t worry about them. You are in the arena, so only listen to people who are also in the arena. Those are the people you can learn from.”
A look at the graduates and their distinctions
Of the 66 graduates, 56 attended the ceremony. The graduating class consisted of seventeen nationalities, which included 4 Belgian, 1 Croatian, 25 Dutch, 1 Dutch/German, 3 French, 15 German, 1 Greek, 1 Hungarian, 5 Italian, 1 Japanese, 1 Portuguese, 2 Romanian, 1 Slovak, 1 Spanish, 2 Swedish, 1 Taiwanese, 1 Ukrainian.
This year’s 66 CEMS graduates achieved an average GPA of 8.3. Of those, a total of 30 students exceeded that average to graduate with cum laude honours: Giacomo Berto, Paul Deepen, Julian Engler, Ruben Eskes, Francesca De Fina, Elisabeth Freiin von Crailsheim, Annabel Groen, Zwenneken Harbers, Xin-Yi Hu, Luke Hussell, David Kraandijk, Olena Krynina, Laura Lasso Peña, Maëlle Magadur, Ruxandra Marinete-Rizea, Marieke van der Meer, Yannik Peled, Brent van der Plas, Juliane Pockrandt, Marlene Rohde, Carlos Saint-Ives Sardiñas, Melvin Schuitmaker, Jochem Schut, Bart Slikker, Jurre-Jan Stoker, Wouter Stomphorst, Jason Thiele, Laura Vitiello, Simeon van der Vos and Anais Zuo.
One student graduated at the top of the class, or summa cum laude: Nick Wilkening with a 9.0 for his thesis and a final GPA of 9.15.
MSc International Management/CEMS
A livestream link makes it possible to re-watch the MSc International Management graduation.
This year’s global CEMS Master in Management graduation ceremony for the global cohort will take place at The London School of Economics and Political Science, London on 9 December 2023.
Delivered by CEMS academic members, the CEMS Master in Management (CEMS MIM) is a joint programme, open to a select group of students who are enrolled in one of the leading universities in the CEMS Alliance.
RSM’s 18-month MSc in International Management/CEMS programme aims to advance high-quality graduates with a well-developed global mindset, to better prepare them for an international career in business. Since its launch, CEMS has grown into a global alliance of 34 leading business schools across six continents with more than 74 multinational partners and eight NGOs that together offer the CEMS MIM.
Welcome new RSM alumni
Upon graduation, Sue Martin, director RSM corporate and alumni relations, reminded the new graduates that they are now members of RSM’s alumni network as well as the CEMS Alumni Association.
