In total, there were 81 graduates of which 77 attended the ceremony, cheered on by their family and friends during the formal procession in their caps and gowns. Graduates in the Class of 2024 represent 31 nationalities, have an average age of 36, an average professional experience of 11 years, and work in various industries including IT, finance, consumer goods, healthcare, construction, energy, consulting, logistics, and NGOs.
RSM’s Dean of Education Professor Michel Lander welcomed the graduates and said they’re now equipped to serve as a successful leader in business and society. “Embrace new opportunities towards positive change so you can improve the livelihood of people beyond products. Business and society need people who value responsibility. They expect it. Your leadership is needed and valued.”
The Academic Director of the EMBA programme, Professor Erik Roelofsen, congratulated the graduates, and reflected on life-lessons they learned. “Being a great leader isn’t about you, it’s about how much you care about others. It’s about more than designing strategies. You need to inspire people. If there’s one thing you learned here about leadership, it’s that you have to lead with love,” said Prof. Roelofsen.
Ethical decisions
The ceremony proceeded with graduates receiving their hard-earned diplomas. In the cohort, 8 people graduated cum laude: Dr Kawin Chong, Migena Dako, Kristina Gurova, Jackie Hechanova, Annemiek Kwakernaak, Ali Naqvi, Ylva Stelck and Umut Tutal.
Graduate Ali Naqvi took the stage to talk about his EMBA experience. “We’re not letting ourselves be guided only by metrics and numbers. When impact takes priority, the systems are aligned with meaningful goals. We have the skills and drive to transform industries and make a positive change to society.”
As the classmates all sprinted from one project to the next, Naqvi said the EMBA showed them they could handle what they thought they couldn’t. “We thrived in this chaos. We took responsibility and pressed on. We strived for excellence.” Naqvi said it’s all about making ethical decisions: “Our humanity is what sets us apart. We possess the power to create positive change.”
Leading with purpose
He said the class put people before projects, whether it was the long hours cracking marketing simulations, obsessing over neurodiversity or picking up sustainability strategies. “We genuinely listened and connected with each other. Our goal was always the same: to contribute something meaningful to the group. We had a collective desire to succeed and make a difference.”
While the graduation marked the end of the EMBA, Naqvi encouraged his classmates to keep making an impact. “Leading with purpose inspires action, it guides us to create real change.”
The Faculty Award went to Professor Mike Ward, as nominated by the graduating cohort. The Student Award went to graduate Edwin Du.
RSM alumni network
This year marks the 20-year history of hosting RSM MBA graduations at the Beurs World Trade Center in Rotterdam. The graduates were welcomed to the RSM alumni network by Meta Haag-Mikec, RSM associate director of corporate and alumni relations. With a growing network of more than 50,000 alumni worldwide, RSM’s alumni community brings opportunities for lifelong learning, professional development and social connections. Alumni include all RSM graduates, from the first post-kandidaats, IIB and Bedrijfskunde programmes in the early 1970s up to those who graduated only this year.
Executive MBA
RSM’s 18-month, part-time Executive MBA (EMBA) programme offers a transformative journey in personal and professional development. Participants gain the insights, attitudes, skills, and frameworks needed to become a successful business leader in senior leadership, general management, or to explore new opportunities in different locations, industries, or ventures. The EMBA enables professionals to pursue their education while working, and encourages them to apply new ideas and approaches in the workplace. www.rsm.nl/emba
