The ceremony featured a “Reflecting on the past” history segment and the formal diploma ceremony, concluding with a drinks reception. In addition to the graduates, over 300 guests attended the RSM MBA graduation ceremony, including staff and faculty members.
Graduates were addressed by key figures in RSM’s leadership, including Dean of RSM Aukje Hassoldt; Academic Director (AD) Dr Jochem Kroezen; and Dean of Education Dr Mirko Benischke. Associate Director of the MBA Ian Loumos served as the Master of Ceremony for the event, and the alumni speaker, Associate Director Alumni Relations Meta Haag-Mikec, invited the new graduates to remain connected through the global RSM alumni network.
Graduate Vladimir Bagaev, leader of the RSM Toastmasters club and recipient of this year’s Student Prize, delivered the farewell speech on behalf of the graduating class. He inspired the cohort with an intriguing question: “What is the difference between a crowd and a society? It is one word: connection. My wish to each of you is to support society around you and build societies in your future career. Never get back to being a crowd again.”
Honouring excellence and diversity
A total of 126 students graduated, with 116 attending the ceremony in person. The class remains a truly global cohort; 99 per cent are international, representing 30 different nationalities, including Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Australia. The graduates bring diverse professional expertise to the table, with primary backgrounds in business and economics (42%) and engineering (26%).
Academic excellence was a hallmark of this year's group, with eight graduates earning cum laude distinctions and one student achieving the prestigious summa cum laude recognition on the Dean’s honours list.
But another hallmark was the cohort’s support for each other during a challenging year, as Employer Relations Manager, Careers, Alina Coroian, noted: “I saw a group that showed up again and again with energy and intention, not just for yourselves, but for each other. I saw how you supported one another in moments that were not easy – during job searches, rejections, uncertainty, war – and how no one had to go through that alone.”
The ceremony also recognised faculty excellence. Nicolas Constantinesco, visiting faculty and co-founder of Promeo, received the Faculty Award. This marks his second consecutive win.
International Full-time MBA
RSM's one-year International Full-time MBA programme builds the critical-thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills professionals need to launch and sustain a world-class career in business. As the Class of 2026 moves forward, they carry the global perspectives gained at RSM to become a force for positive change.
AD Jochem Kroezen said, “More than just analytical thinkers that can mind the shop, we need managers and leaders who can engage and craft meaningful change during times of uncertainty and transition. In the age of AI, the human side of management and leadership will only become more, rather than less, important.”
More Information
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is one of Europe’s top-ranked business schools. RSM provides ground-breaking research and education furthering excellence in all aspects of management and is based in the international port city of Rotterdam – a vital nexus of business, logistics and trade. RSM’s primary focus is on developing business leaders with international careers who can become a force for positive change by carrying their innovative mindset into a sustainable future. Our first-class range of bachelor, master, MBA, PhD and executive programmes encourage them to become critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinkers and doers. www.rsm.nl
For more information about RSM or this release, please contact Pavlina Novakova, RSM corporate communications and PR manager, or Danielle Baan, science communications lead and PR, by email at press@rsm.nl.
