"Business schools must help create better societies"

"Being good in research and teaching is not enough, business schools must do well. They must contribute to creating better societies, through teaching, research and creating leaders for a better world", this has been the message of Professor Ingmar Björkman, from the Aalto University School of Business, at the academic year 2021/2022 opening ceremony  of UPF Barcelona School of Management. The event has been held at the UPF-BSM Balmes Auditorium with the presence of students and school faculty and has also been broadcast live online on Friday, October 1st.

It is not enough to be good at research and teaching. We must contribute to creating better societies through teaching and training the leaders of the future

In the welcome of the academic year, the Director General of the UPF-BSM, José M. Martínez-Sierra, has expressed that "we are here to make your life easier" and has expressed gratitude to new students: "Many thanks for choosing and relying on us for your formation."

Class of 2022

Then the promotional representation 21/22  have spoken: Paula Alejandra Sánchez, MSc in Management and Qianying Núria Zhou, University Master in Professional Legal Practice and Executive Director for China Global Strategy.

Sánchez has reviewed the reasons why she has chosen the UPF Masters and graduate school for MSc: "The high percentage of international students: of 2062 class 2021/2022 students, 32% came from abroad. In this complex world, getting a master's degree and being part of this 32% is not only an achievement, but a privilege."

Among the 2,062 students in the graduating class, 32% have come from abroad. In this complex world, being part of this 32% is a privilege

For his part, Zhou has highlighted the relationship of the school towards China and has explained the main goals of China Global Strategy.

Encourage students

Next, the Hble. Mrs. Victoria Alsina, Foreign Action Advisor and Open Government, who is also a student of the university, has encouraged students: "Take advantage of the teacher's knowledge, colleagues and keep for the rest of your lives the connections you make here."

In the keynote lesson, Björkman has addressed the role of management schools in training future leaders and has given students advice on their training: "Shoring challenges and thinking about them is the most important thing you can do in your careers and in your lives."

Take advantage of the knowledge of the faculty, colleagues and maintain the networking you do here for the rest of your lives.

In the closing of the act, the Rector of the UPF, Oriol Amat, has expressed the speciality of the occasion, to be the first act of presence after the pandemic. Amat has encouraged students and the university community to take advantage of learning that has been extracted from covid-19: "We have learned the virtues of online teaching. We must take the good that we have learned and eliminate the inefficient things of the past. Many of these tools are here to stay. But we wanted to meet again."

Finally, the UPF choir played the Gaudeamus Igitur.