Graduation ceremony of the IX MBA GUT programme

7 March 2020 was a memorable day for students of the IX MBA Programme. On that day, the group of 27 students received their diplomas and became MBA GUT Alumni.

Students and their families, Lecturers, Programme Advisory Board members, Faculty and University Authorities and IMBA GUT Programme Employees met at a seaside hotel in Sopot, to celebrate awarding the diplomas to graduates of the 2017–2019 IX MBA Programme.

The ceremony included a summary presentation by Dr Barbara Stepnowska, MBA GUT Director, as well as Dr Beata Krawczyk-Bryłka, MBA GUT Lecturer.

Dr Stepnowska focused on the question of knowing unknown and a role of a new leadership. “The challenges coming from VUCA  – linked with the competition, at the same time requires upskilling navigation, to prepare ourselves and act in the UNKNOWN. That is why a leadership is crucial.  The  leaders’ ability to follow new paradigm of inclusive leadership for collective decision making with your teams. Especially in times, after coronavirus havoc”

Dr Krawczyk-Bryłka touched on the students’ self-assessment. She compared their expectations and self-indicated skills before beginning of study and after completing the programme. In results all expectations were met through the MBA Programme. The most important and curious fact is that students in general overestimated own skills before starting the programme. From the science point of view it was unconscious incompetence that owing to the MBA programme converted into conscious incompetence.

After that MBA Director presented the awards for Best MBA Teacher which went to prof. Nicholas Strange (who passed away peacefully on 1st of August 2018 – read more). The great lecturer begun cooperation with GUT MBA Programme in 2008. He was a lecturer who had been teaching at GUT Programme from the very beginning, 10 years since that time… Focused on Strategic Financial Accounting and Accounting for management Decision.

Some of the student’s statements from questionnaires after it’s classes:

• “Great lecturer. Absolute must for this programme.”
• “Mr. Strange is a very good teacher, with great practical experience and teaching skills. I am highly impressed about him and would like to see him again.”
• “Great teacher, great quality of the lecture! It was a pleasure & honour to take this class!”

Despite prof. Nick Strange, the award for the best lecturers went to Bob Dignen and Dr Paweł Ziemiański who lead the subject “Effective Business Communication”. The best student of IX MBA GUT edition was Maciej Derra, who received award  for the best results in science.

During the graduation there were also mentioned the best MBA projects – initiative connecting students, the business environment with social responsibility: Project Telescope with their promoter Alain Heureux and Collaborating Internationally.

After the gala there was time for networking session and refreshments.

We do thanks for all participants and their families for coming and making this event very special with a family atmosphere. We wish all our new alumni much luck in their new business career with their solid educational background and to discover all unconscious competences!