MBA graduation 2024: A day full of pride and relief

Friday the 13th, supposedly known as an unlucky day, became a lucky day for the graduates, who were honored for their impressive achievements: the graduation ceremony in the “Festsaal” (Festivities Hall) of the University of Applied Sciences marked a significant milestone in their academic and professional careers.

The focus was on the graduates of the General Management MBA courses with a focus on Social Work, Automotive, Leadership and Marketing, as well as the MBA in Business Psychology 4.0. A total of 21 graduates out of 27 took part in the ceremony and received their well-deserved master's certificates.

“A VERY SPECIAL DAY”

After the celebratory entry of the students, Prof. (FH) Dr. Kristina Kampfer, deputy head of the Leadership & Business Management degree program and academic director of the General Management MBA program, opened the festivities. In her speech, she paid tribute to the graduates' achievements: “Today is a very special day – the day when you can reap the rewards of your hard work.” She emphasized that the students had not only acquired knowledge during their degree program, but also the ability to reflect on themselves and adapt to change.

In his address, FH-Rector Prof. (FH) Dr. Mario Döller emphasized the importance of the graduates for the future: “Be courageous, you are the country's experts.” Döller also addressed current challenges such as climate change and economic uncertainties, and called on the graduates to act as role models in their industries – both through professional skills / competencies and through their attitudes.

Afterwards, the solemn reading of the academic oath was performed by the representatives Laura-Lisa Mölk and Mijo Rajkovaca. After the reading and the oath, further emotional moments followed: Prof. (FH) Dr. Kristina Kampfer reflected on the graduates' development and explained the significance of the gift that each of them was to receive: a thermos flask designed to convey important principles such as collaboration, focus and self-reflection. In his speech, Prof. Kurt Hoffmann, head of the MBA program Business Psychology 4.0, thanked the students, their families, and the teaching staff for their commitment. And to the graduates, he said: “You have shown how theory and practice can be perfectly aligned.”

After the speeches by Kampfer and Hoffmann, the graduates received their certificates. A special moment marking the completion of a demanding and practice-oriented degree program.

FAREWELLS AND NEW HORIZONS

The graduates Wolfgang Pichler (General Management Automotive & Mobility) and Carina Kraus (Business Psychology 4.0) gave emotional farewell speeches. Both reflected on their time in the MBA program and emphasized the valuable exchange with colleagues and lecturers. The event then came to a festive close in the foyer of the “Festsaal” (Festivities Hall). 

PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS

Andrea Standl, a graduate of the MBA in Social Work, was enthusiastic: “The group dynamics and the way the course content was linked to my practice were highlights.” Wolfgang Pichler described the conclusion as bittersweet: “Relief is mixed with melancholy – it was a great time, made particularly valuable by the network that was created.”

The successful graduates of the Management MBA at the International Business School of the FH Kufstein Tirol are now ready to take on the many challenges of a globalized economy. The higher education institution warmly congratulates them and wishes them all the best for the future.