11 months, 5 countries and 1 university – all of which is combined in one single program of study: the Global MBA.

Within just one year a cohort of students studies at 5 Webster campuses, spending an 8-week term in each of London, Geneva, Leiden, Vienna and Chengdu, China to finish with an internationally accredited MBA. This year their last term took place in Vienna, Austria. The term as well their year of intensive studying was finished off with a once in a lifetime event: the festive day of Graduation, Sunday, July 11. Over 100 people attended this special celebration which took place in the beautiful location of Palais Eschenbach in Vienna’s first district.

The students gowned up and led the procession into the Graduation Hall, followed by faculty members from Vienna as well as other Webster Europe campuses. Last but not least, the guests of honor came in accompanied by the sound of Pomp and Circumstance and took their places on the podium. This year we had the great honor of welcoming the new Webster Worldwide president, Dr.Elizabeth (Beth) Stroble as our special guest of honor. She gave an enlightening Commencement Keynote Address.  The Dean of the School of Business and Technology, Dr. Benjamin Akande presented a message of inspiration; and Prof. Thomas Hintze, CEO of UPC Austria and Webster Vienna advisory board chairmen, addressed the students about the challenges of planning their professional business careers.

Each student was then called up on the podium by name and their degrees were conferred. Stefano Cantini, president of the Vienna alumni chapter announced the last highlight of the ceremony: the piano performances of Vienna Alumnae Fiona Kosanovic and Antonija Pacek, who made this ceremony very special with their outstanding performances. The event ended with the recessional march and a cocktail reception full of smiles and laughter  and some very happy Graduates.