April 17, 2021. Shanghai – The CEIBS MBA Class of 2021 marked the end of their MBA journey with a special online celebration today. Joined by friends, families, professors, mentors and CEIBS staff, over 150 graduates logged on to welcome each other into the school’s alumni network of over 25,000 professionals. School leaders including CEIBS President (European) Dipak Jain, Vice President and Dean Yuan Ding, Associate Dean and MBA Programme Director Shameen Prashantham and MBA Administration Director Michelle Zhu led the event.

The CEIBS MBA Class of 2021 together at the start of their journey

As the host of today’s celebrations, Prof. Prashantham welcomed the MBA Class of 2021 to the Virtual Gradation Celebration. Dean Ding then officially began the proceedings by congratulating the graduates and praising their resolve while facing challenges brought by on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CEIBS Associate Dean and MBA Programme Director Professor Shameen Prashantham hosting the Virtual Graduation Celebration

“This unique experience will make you stronger. We should always look at things in a positive and proactive way, so let’s focus on the glass being half full,” Dean Ding said. “One thing for sure is that CEIBS will always be your permanent home. I wish you all the best for your career and family life, and look forward to welcoming you back to campus with the pandemic firmly behind us.”

CEIBS Vice President and Dean Yuan Ding shares his welcoming address

In his keynote speech, Honorary Chairman of Royal DSM Mr. Feike Sijbesma encouraged the graduates to go out and make the world a better place by doing well and doing good.

“Now, you are ready for the big work,” Mr. Sijbesma said. “Try to develop insights, vision and connections. I encourage you to contribute to your organisation by helping to build a better world. A better world in terms of society, climate, equality as well as the other major areas outlined by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”

Royal DSM Honorary Chairman Mr. Feike Sijbesma delivers his keynote speech

With many MBA faculty joining today’s celebrations, CEIBS Assistant Professor of Accounting Gianfranco Siciliano spoke on behalf of his colleagues to share a final lesson about the importance of balance – not in terms of balance sheets, but in terms of life.

CEIBS Assistant Professor of Accounting Gianfranco Siciliano speaks on behalf of the school’s faculty 

“CEIBS motto of ‘China Depth, Global Breadth’ gives us a perfect example,” he said. “These four words basically imply, today more than ever, that we need to pursue, to think, to act more in terms of an equitable globalisation. With this degree, my dear students, you have not only achieved an important goal in your life – ‘a more balanced education’ – but you have also become ambassadors to reflect on and eventually bridge the gap between China and Europe, and between China and the World.”

CEIBS MBA graduate Wang Zhe reflects on his MBA journey 

Representing the MBA Class of 2021, Wang Zhe and Margherita Nostro shared some key takeaways from their journeys at CEIBS. Joining the graduation celebration in person, Zhe summarised the MBA journey by sharing his three major takeaways; namely, learning how to become a better student, a better leader, and a better person. Joining online from Italy, Margherita reflected on the importance of being happy and grateful in the new normal.

CEIBS MBA graduate Margherita Nostro on embracing the future

Prof. Jain, Michelle Zhu and Prof. Prashantham then presented awards to the MBA Class of 2021’s outstanding achievers. The award recipients are:

Outstanding Graduate Award: Kunal DATT, WANG Zhe, JIN Chengzi, Shefali Alok PATHAK, Pawel SWIERK, DUAN Kaiyue, WU Yuhao, Margherita NOSTRO and Hwee Queen CHONG

MBA Office Special Recognition Award: Raluca-Elena GEORGESCU, GU Mingyuan, JIA Bin, Mei Ying Melissa KHOO, LI Yaohui, RAO Sizhen, Ravishankar RAVEENDRAN NAIR, Karan SHARMA, WANG Xuan, WEI Jin, XU Fan, YIN Junhua, Eva Olivia ZHANG and ZHANG, Zhiyi

Student Leader Award: Neil FLYNN, Simon LIANG and Aravind THODUPUNOORI

The celebration concluded with a virtual toast and hybrid online-offline student-led gathering.

CEIBS MBA2021 graduates in China gather for one last celebration​