On Friday evening, the Museum of Modern Art in Luxembourg (MUDAM) was the venue for the 24th graduation ceremony of the Jack Welch College of Business at Sacred Heart University in Luxembourg.

Laura Niesen de Abruna, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, welcomed everyone including representatives of the Luxembourg Board of Regions.

The Academic Director Address was delivered by Dr Alfred Steinherr who said that while what they have learned as a successful skill-base for now, the graduates will need to continue learning throughout life, and encouraged them to return as alumni. He announced that from next year all students on internships will be assigned mentors to further assist in their educational development.

The Commencement Address was given by Claude Meisch, Luxembourg's Minister for Education, Children and Youth, and for Higher Education and Research. He stressed his admiration for the graduate students who had managed to achieve so much in their studies alongside working full time. He recalled the evolution of post-graduate studies in Luxembourg including the establishment of the University of Luxembourg, and its move to Esch-Belval along with the National Research Fund, as well as the arrival of Sacred Heart University in Luxembourg.

Aurélie Maire Hick, who won the Gold Medal for Excellence, delivered an inspiring Valedictory Address. She talked passionately about the issue of greater communications skills and empowerment which she had addressed in her final paper. She stated that an MBA gives the holder a greater understanding of the whole business environment, and that now they are graduates, it is just the beginning of the story. She revealed that during their studies at SHU the students became a family with close ties, and believes that an MBA can be viewed as not only a career accelerator, but a life accelerator too. She said that her mindset has changed and now has the ability to realise her dreams.

One student graduated with a Graduate Student Certificate in Modern Business Management, with 32 graduating with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Paulo Jorge Ribeiro Moreira won the Silver Medal, with Ladissa Liduina Isabella Best receiving the Dean's Leadership Award.

Sacred Heart University is based in the US and operates a total of 6 colleges, with its presence in the Grand Duchy (Kirchberg) dating back to 1991, offering graduate-level programmes tailored to the needs of working professionals, with the current student enrolment representing 40+ countries. In addition to the MBA programme, professional certificate courses are offered in Global Investments, Corporate Finance, Leadership and Modern Business Management.

Photos by Geoff Thompson