The Graduation Ceremony returned to the Walter Kissling Gam Campus!

During the crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, INCAE Business School had to make difficult decisions so that not a single class did not miss their graduation ceremony. Thus, in 2020 and 2021, virtual ceremonies were organized that took care of every last detail so that the events did not lose the formality of the occasion without neglecting the shared emotion of those who graduated, their families and teachers.

In 2022 we recovered face-to-face and the first two graduations, organized with great care and attention to health security, were held at the Costa Rica Convention Center on June 10 and 11.

This Friday, November 11, however, the Graduation Committee managed to have the Ceremony corresponding to four programs held, for the first time since 2019, at the Walter Kissling Gam Campus. This housed the 165 students who, upon receiving their degree, joined the vigorous Community of more than 18,000 Incaistas.

It is worth mentioning that all the necessary measures were applied to guarantee the health safety of all attendees, such as the use of face masks and presentation of the vaccination scheme. The event was also available as a live stream from INCAE's YouTube channel.

The new Incaists were accompanied by their relatives and teachers, eager to share with them this great achievement. Precisely this invaluable support from their loved ones and mentors was mentioned several times during the ceremony, in which Irene González, also an Incaist, was the master of ceremonies.

The four programs that graduated were: 

• Executive Master in Business Administration (EMBA 2022-1)
• Executive Master in Finance (EMF 2022)
• Executive Master in Management (EMIM 2022)
• Master in Marketing and Customer-Oriented Digital Transformation (OEMM 2022-1 and OEMM 2022-2)

The proud Incaists today are 165 people of 16 nationalities: 34% women and 66% men.
 

an exciting parade

For the first time since 2019, this Friday, November 11, the solemn academic parade led by the Graduation Marshal, Doctor Pedro Raventos.

The 165 graduates of the four programs followed, guided by the academic directors of each of them: Professor Stephen R. Brenes in front of the 53 students of the Executive Master in Business Administration.

The teacher Alberto Trejos placeholder image leading the 21 students of the Executive Master in Finance.

The teacher Niels Ketelhohn accompanying the 29 graduates of the Executive Master in Management.

And the teacher Juan Carlos Barahona leading the 62 students who, in two groups, completed the Master in Marketing and Customer-Oriented Digital Transformation.

The parade continued with the students who graduated with honors to give way to a group of graduates of the MAE IV and MAE XIV generations who were celebrating their 50th and 40th anniversary of having received their degree, led by Harry Strachan, well-known former rector of INCAE.

Next, prominent members of the Faculty joined the parade headed by the Dean of the Faculty, professor Bernard Killian and the Dean of Executive Education and Strategic Innovation, professor Camelia Ilie.

The parade was closed by the Rector of INCAE, Enrique Bolanos, accompanied by Doctor Robert Artavia, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the special guest, Reynaldo González, CEO of Cuestamoras and graduate of INCAE's MAE 35.

Words that encourage commitment

The welcome was given by Rector Enrique Bolaños, who assured that "our community of more than 18 Incaistas is an active and responsible brotherhood that contributes to forging more dignified, successful, and complete countries through committed leadership."

For his part, Roberto Artavia introduced Reynaldo González telling some funny anecdotes and talking about his impressive professional career. And he said: "I ask you to see in him the type of example of life that every Incaist should point to."

The guest of honor spoke of “the overwhelming realization of what my responsibility is: with my ability, with the opportunities I have access to, with my family and also with the mistakes made; to learn and solve problems in a different way, to not stop being authentic and faithful to the principles under which I want to live. And, most importantly, the awareness of the additional responsibility that I have for having access to unique opportunities and resources, like the ones you have access to today: responsibility with the talent, with the valuable resources that not everyone has access to. It is an inescapable responsibility”. And he shared with the attendees a reflection of Rabbi Hilel the Wise: “If I am not there for myself, who is?; And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

The Salutatorian, Raúl Castillo Acuña, from the Executive Master in Management class, also addressed those present, who commented that “although the studies were completed, the impact that INCAE had on us will always be with us. The transformation is done"

And the Valedictorian, María Priscila León Cando, from the Master's class in Marketing and Customer-Oriented Digital Transformation. She told her classmates and colleagues “at INCAE we develop new skills, knowledge and values ​​oriented towards a greater purpose: working for the progress of our communities. Also, without realizing it, we became a family.”

Then the dean Bernard Killian he introduced the dedicated professors of the graduating programs and read the messages his students prepared for them. were the teachers Roy Zuniga, Pedro Raventós, Niels Ketelhöhn, Forrest Colburn y Serge Restrepo.

The crucial moment came when the Dean of Executive Education and Strategic Innovation, Camelia Ilie, presented the promotions, referring to the generous scholarships that give many students the opportunity to pursue their postgraduate studies at INCAE. The central role played by the support of family members and friends of graduates for the successful completion of their studies was also recognized.

Some of the students received the title from an Inca family member and later, Rector Bolaños called the graduates with Honor and High Honor mentions, who received special recognition for their outstanding performance. 

At the end of the delivery of titles and receiving the congratulations from their teachers in recorded messages, the already graduated took 360° videos on a platform set up for it. A finale that everyone enjoyed with enthusiasm (See here the Program).
 

That day, the live broadcast on INCAE's YouTube channel recorded 1000 views and 223 chat messages.

Congratulations to all the graduates and their loved ones!