Executive MBA 2019-2021 & International MBA 2021 Graduation Ceremony

Saturday, December 18th was a day of joyful celebration for the Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova. Students, families, friends, professors, and the Lisbon MBA team gathered for a ceremony filled with inspirational speeches and endless memories.
The Executive MBA Class of 2019-2021 and the International MBA class of 2021 came together to receive their diplomas and to celebrate the transformational journey they have been through. The audience was delighted from the start of the ceremony with a musical moment led by our International MBA Student, Carmo Braga da Costa who performed, accompanied by her band, the song: Lovely Day, by Bill Withers, followed by Special Medley for the Lisbon MBA Students.
The opening messages by Professor Filipe Santos, Dean of Católica-Lisbon, Professor Daniel Traça, Dean of Nova SBE, and Mr. David Capodilupo, Assistant Dean of MIT Sloan, were inspiring and invited the students to reflect on the importance of tending to our community, recognizing the special role of our families, the value of great leadership, and the crucial lessons to be learned through taking risks and pushing boundaries.
Commencement Speaker Eng. João Günther Amaral, Chief Development Officer and Executive Board Member at Sonae, came on stage with an inspirational speech about the challenging roads that need to be crossed to achieve a brighter future and make a positive impact on the world while within the challenges of a VUCA environment. He urged MBA students to lead their paths by taking care of themselves and the community so that we all can continue living a better life with the aid of technology, innovation, and science. Thus, without leaving a large portion of the population behind, due to inequalities and modifications of the terrestrial landscapes, destroying wildlife and environments for the sake of a fast-consuming world.
Student representatives delivered emotional speeches comparing the journey of the MBA to a roller coaster, also expressing great appreciation for their achievements, teamwork, and sense of community, and the love of supporting families.
Maria José Amich, Executive Director of The Lisbon MBA, exalted the students’ achievements and reminded them that as alumni they can always count on the Lisbon MBA community in their future endeavors, mentioning “it will be your turn to represent The Lisbon MBA and to carry your diploma with pride, and with the values that it embodies.…this is your moment. Your generation’s time to contribute to shaping the world, a better world”.
Just before the Lisbon MBA Academic Directors, Professor René Bohnsack and Professor Paulo Soares de Pinho handled the diplomas, the Executive MBA Student Francisco Moitinho de Almeida gave a violoncello performance, accompanied by his wife at the piano: “The Swan of the Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Säens and a special arrangement of the fado: “Lisboa Menina e Moça”.
The clapping echoed through the auditorium while the diplomas were handed, and students finally graduated joining The Lisbon MBA Alumni Community as new members of this active, culturally diverse, and close-knit community.
On a closing note, Professor Isabel Capeloa Gil, the Rector of Universidade Católica Portuguesa congratulated the students for their achievements and reminded how this cutting-edge program born from the vision of two top business schools has transformed the field of business education, positioning the Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova as a leading global player. Professor Isabel also highlighted the role of universities in the development and support of the great potential of students, recommending to students to have a vision, dare to think differently, and be ready to adapt.
Congratulations to all of the graduates!