International Management Global Reunion 2022: a Gathering of Classmates, Professionals, Friends
In its 14 editions, the Master's Degree in International Management has brought more than 1,500 students from 63 countries to the heart of the University of Bologna, the oldest in the western world. These are the numbers that today give substance and colour to one of the most active and cohesive Alumni Communities of the Alma Mater.
A Community that met on Saturday, December 17th, in Bologna to celebrate with the Global Reunion 2022 the special bond that unites all those who, over the years, have entered the International Management programme as freshmen full of expectations and left as young and tenacious professionals.
International Management: A Community Between Growth and Evolution
Speaking with the IM Alumni, a clear conviction emerges about the secret of its success: the ability to combine, with the right balance, the best of the Italian and foreign academic approaches. Solid theoretical foundations, therefore, are supported by numerous experiences and hands-on activities delivered through group work, a fundamental element of the IM experience that cements personal bonds within the classes.
Another pivotal element that contributes to the creation of solid interpersonal connections is, without any doubt, generosity. The one shown by Alumni when donating their time to the Mentorship Program, welcoming students into their companies for Job Shadowing, organising seminars and making their knowledge available to the new generations.
Their commitment gives life to a transgenerational bond that aims to help everyone grow together.
A Community, that of International Management, destined to grow further and witness the programme's future evolution.
"The program has grown dramatically over the past six years, with a 25% year-over-year increase in the number of applications, including an extraordinary uptake in international students," explains the Academic Director Simone Ferriani. "As a result of this evolution, IM is today much, much more than an MSc. It is truly a global community with alumni scattered all over the planet and working in leading-edge companies across a variety of industries. The Reunion was a testament to the bonding that links our students, professors, and alumni together and was also a striking demonstration of the incredible energy that animates this group".
Global Reunion 2022: an opportunity to share (again)
After the stop dictated by the pandemic, going back to sharing ideas, projects and thoughts, but also the same spaces, has even greater value. That's why so many responded to the Reunion invitation: 250 Alumni from more than 30 countries around the world (including Germany, France, England, the United States, Cameroon, China and the United Arab Emirates, to mention some).
Not only geographically but also professionally, the former students who have met in Bologna come from the most disparate 'places'. The Reunion hasn't simply brought together former classmates but professionals from 15 different industries covering around twenty different corporate roles.
At the same time, there were also many people behind the event: 15 members of the organising team, 24 working groups during the day, 8 special speakers and 3 sponsors for a total of 8 months of preparation. It's all about generosity, again.
“Marco Biasin, Lorenzo Bezzi, Valentina Bruschi, Irene Galletti, Isabel Pizzi, Martina Guizzardi, Giulia Voza, Victor Henry Heuser, Simone Vento, Eugenio Barzanti, Alina Gasperini, Gianluca Venturi, Giovanni Saccà, Giuseppe Mangione. They were my travel companions, those who have transformed ideas and projects into a magnificent shared experience," says the Alumnus Guido Borra while introducing the team.
"The time donated, we don't hide it, was a lot! But we underline the importance of 'giving back': donating our time is the least we can do to show gratitude towards an ecosystem of teachers, students and fundamental acquaintances who gave us so much," he adds.
Not Just Networking: 6 Speakers to Get Inspired
The 'welcome back' to the Alumni, expressed by the University and the City, has been impressive. The warmest Welcome Greetings were given by Giovanni Molari, Rector of the University of Bologna; Rosa Grimaldi, Delegated of the Mayor to the Economic Promotion and international attractiveness, Cultural and creative industries, Impact Tecnopolo; Angelo Paletta, Director of DISA Department; and Chiara Berti, President of Almae Matris Alumni Association.
The Reunion was also an opportunity to spend time together while collecting suggestions, ideas and food for thought. To stimulate reflection, the organisers entrusted the inspirational speeches to two guests of honour: Federico Minoli, Chairman of Dainese, and Silvia Crescimbeni, Climate Diplomacy at the European Commission.
Afterwards, the future of entertainment was discussed with a panel of experts made up of Lorenzo Foglia (Head of Now TV, Sky Italia), Luca Bersaglia (Media Executive), Nicoletta Besio (Sales Director Italy, Twitch) and Roberto Piola (Head of Amazon Music Italy).
Nonetheless, the Alumni gathered in Bologna not only listened but also took action. Two main activities involved them in the afternoon, the Origami Challenge and the Random Business Models. In the first one, the groups challenged each other to fly origami aeroplanes as far as possible, while in the second, they worked on innovative business models in extremely niche sectors, with extravagant and, at the same time surprising results.
The Global Reunion 2022 was a perfect mix of fun, networking and training.
But why is it so important, indeed fundamental, to feed and keep a Community alive?
"In today's world of work, communities are everything," says Guido. "They open important doors for you, allow you to spread news and opportunities or find old friends. Going back to the city that shaped us, to the city that gave us so much with its university, is a beautiful emotion."
A Community is, indeed, a welcoming place where we can keep forging new ties or strengthen those that time lightens, distracted as we are by the speed of our lives.
See you at the next Global Reunion of the Master's Degree in International Management!
