On March 17, 2011 the first 17 participants of the unique and EU supported Professional MBA Program Automotive Industry finished their study successfully and received the MBA degree.

Prof. Dr. phil. Hans Kaiser, Vice Rector for International Affairs of the Vienna University of Technology opened the ceremony and welcomed graduate and guests. In his welcoming address he congratulated the participants for their accomplishment for the last two years. Vice Rector for Marketing, Human Resources and IT, of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Prof. Ing.Arch. Maroš Finka, PhD. congratulated also the graduates and emphasized the successful cooperation between renowned technical universities.

In the festive speech DI Hanno Miorini, MBA, Vice President OE Sales, Robert Bosch AG mentioned the challenges in the automotive industry. The first step to deal with the challenges ahead is to have a right education for managers to provide with additional knowledge and to upgrade their skills. Now after the graduation participants should apply the acquired knowledge in their professional life to solve the challenging problems in a right way. With the congratulatory remarks to the graduates he closed his festive speech.

Prof. Dr. Wilfried Sihn, Academic director of the Vienna University of Technology reviewed the highlights of the first MBA program for automotive and component supply industries during the two years study. As the academic director of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Prof. Dr. Jan Lesinsky urged the continuation of their self-development after the graduation. They congratulated graduates sincerely.

As the highlight of the ceremony both academic directors awarded graduates the certificate and diplomas. On Behalf of the Alumni, Mr. Michal Matusek, MBA the winner of the AUTOMOBIL PRODUKTION Scholarship looked back the good collaboration and atmosphere between international colleagues. Beside of the gained knowledge the friendship is one of biggest benefits of the program. He thanked to all people who supported them during the program.

The Continuing Education Center of the Vienna University of Technology in cooperation with Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava proudly presents the alumni:

• Roberto Baccaglini, MBA
• Dipl.-Ing. Christof Baier, MBA
• Ing. Marek Branicky, MBA
• Ing. Peter Chudoba, MBA
• Matthew Foley, BA MBA
• Ing. Slavomir Hunak, MBA
• Ing. Igor Klein, MBA
• Gerhard Kolarik, MBA
• Juan Carlos Legaspi, MEng., MBA
• Ing. Michal Matusek, MBA
• Dipl.-Ing. Anita Helene Messinger, MBA
• Mag. Rene Petzner, MBA
• DI (FH) Christoph Pöstinger, MBA
• DI (FH) Franz Schneeberger, MBA
• Ing. Tomas Vercik, MBA
• Alfred Waldhäusl, MBA
• Ing. Ernst Weigl, MBA