Students of two joint programs of the Graduate School of Management of St. Petersburg University (GSOM SPbU) developed together with Skillbox ("MBA — Leaders of Change") and AlmaU ("Executive MBA — Strategic Management and Leadership") received their Master in Business Administration diplomas on April 29, 2023. SPbU student choir performed "Gaudeamus" and professors and executives of the Business School gave their farewell speeches in the gala hall of GSOM SPbU campus on Volkhovsky Pereulok

Yuriy Fedotov, Executive Director of the Graduate School of Management of SPbU, opened the solemn ceremony. He congratulated the graduates and wished them to keep in touch with their alma mater.

"I am sure that during study you've learned to cope with any difficulties. Knowledge and skills you've gained will help you to continue developing your business successfully, make your organizations better and stronger and change the world for the better. You've finished your studies, and this feels a bit sad, but you are now entering the GSOM SPbU alumni community, and this looks promising! There's no doubt that shortly you are going to see how powerful and productive this organization is for all GSOM SPbU alumni. Welcome! Now you have an opportunity to participate in program advisory boards, join us at all Business School's events and make GSOM SPbU better together with us", — told Yuriy Fedotov.

Top managers and owners of medium and large enterprises of Kazakhstan came to Saint Petersburg especially to take part in the ceremony. 17 people graduated from the "Executive MBA — Strategic Management and Leadership" joint program offered by the Almaty Management University (AlmaU) and the Graduate School of Management of SPbU. Final projects were highly appreciated by the state attestation committees of both Russia and Kazakhstan.

 

According to the research conducted by international educational institutions, significant professional and personal changes may happen to the alumni during a five-year period after graduation. Alumni may not only move up the career ladder or scale up their business, but also decide to completely change their activity area. They get a more profound understanding of the importance of socially responsible business operations. Wait for big changes!", — Elena Skalon, Academic Director for GSOM SPbU and AlmaU Double Degree Executive MBA "Strategic Management and Leadership" Program, Deputy Director for Executive Education at GSOM SPbU, addressed to the graduates.

15 people — company owners, middle managers and executives — graduated from the "MBA — Leaders of Change" joint program by GSOM SPbU and Skillbox. Most of them have already noticed positive changes in career and life.

"We wanted to make the students look at their business, work processes and staff with fresh eyes, think differently about themselves and their companies, and see the opportunities. Our students are leaders. Being a leader means to take the responsibility, see, understand what's happening and act. And we managed to achieve it. The students tell us about positive changes in career and business, — shared Maxim Arzumanyan, Academic Director for GSOM SPbU and Skillbox "MBA — Change Leaders" Program.

МВА/EMBA graduates usually not only grow professionally and personally, but also get a higher income. According to the latest survey for QS World University Rankings, 2021 graduates' salary increased by 40%.

 

"It may sound snobbish, but I reached the strategic level of thinking: I really started to look at the things that happen around differently. I realized that the world is much bigger and I can do more than it seemed before. All the knowledge I got was useful, especially my final project. We developed the strategy of digital product management for a large retail chain that occupies with something very similar to what I do, so when dealing with the customer's challenges, I solved mine too. Working in a team on equal terms was a separate interesting experience", — Vyacheslav Inzartsev, "MBA — Leaders of Change" alumnus, shared his impressions.

"Our group is unique, because a series of events happened during these two years: artificial intelligence became part of our life, we made it through the Covid-19 pandemic and the special military operation started — the rules of the game changed in the world. We've been studying at this time and new knowledge helped us to "produce antibodies" to changes and challenges, to adapt and continue developing. I am grateful to the Saint Petersburg University for this wonderful experience", — told Evgeniy Petin, Strategic Management and Leadership ЕМВА alumnus.

GALLERY