CEO of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG, speaker at Global Executive MBA graduation ceremony

With its splendor, the former headquarters of the Vienna Stock Exchange offered an ideal setting for the Global Executive MBA graduation ceremony on June 3, 2016. Prof. Barbara Stöttinger, Dean of the WU Executive Academy, awarded the degree of “Master of Business Administration” to the 41 students from 19 countries and warmly welcomed them as new members of the WU Executive Club.

After 15 months of intense learning and three international study trips to Russia, India and China, and the USA, respectively, the atmospheric event marked the concluding highlight for the class: Dr. Walter Rothensteiner, CEO of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG, attended the ceremony as a guest of honor.

In his keynote speech, Dr. Rothensteiner expressed his appreciation of MBA graduates: “Studying for a Global Executive MBA degree at the WU Executive Academy pays dividends. No less an authority than John F. Kennedy once said: ‘There is only one thing in the long run more expensive than education—no education.’,” stated Mr. Rothensteiner, and added:

“At Raiffeisen Zentralbank Group, we value MBA graduates for their farsightedness and the fresh ideas that they bring to our organization. It is their self-starting attitude and their eagerness to learn that set them apart. Thinking for yourself, being a critical analyzer, using new technologies flexibly and focusing on your personal development are crucially important skills when it comes to achieving success in the business world, and the Global Executive MBA helps students hone all of them. I wish you every success in the future!”