The ceremony was opened by Prof. Bodo B. Schlegelmilch, Ph.D., D.Litt., Ph.D. (hon.), Dean of the WU Executive Academy. In his opening address he emphasized the importance of continuing education by citing Will Rogers, a famous US comedian who said ‘Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.’ Prof. Schlegelmilch also pointed out that the students will benefit from a diverse network and from learning from each other. He ended by assuring them that learning and having fun are not incompatible.

Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Wieltsch, Board of Directors, Telekom Austria, dedicated his key note speech to some tools that managers need to cope with uncertainty in turbulent times. In his opinion one of the biggest future challenges of managers is to create long-term values. Therefore human resources like innovation and creativity are key resources that have to be unleashed. He also emphasized the responsibility of business towards society and the importance of shared value, corporate governance and compliance.
After that Univ.Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke welcomed the participants on behalf of all Academic Directors to the ‘adventurous MBA-journey’ and compared it with Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to Antarctica in 1914. He said that this MBA program also might become a hazardous journey because knowledge is dangerous – it can even change people’s lives. Although Prof. Franke admitted that much work lies ahead for the students, he also said that he is convinced that building a team and complementing each other will help to master all challenges. Like adventurers the students will finally be rewarded with insights, knowledge, career opportunities and personal advancement.

Then Lydia Awde, B.A., MBA, an MBA alumna, assured the audience that there is much to be curious about. She encouraged the students to ‘keep the spark shining’ when it becomes difficult. Mrs. Awde pointed out that the students are lucky to do this MBA program and should be grateful for it. Finally she wished them good luck for the probably most wonderful and challenging two years of their lives.

After taking some class-photos the students had the chance to get to know each other during the reception. The participants of the Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation class 2011 – 2013 are from Austria, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Saudi Arabia and Slovakia. They have an average work experience of almost eight years and 28 % of this year’s participants are women.

We wish all students a lot of success and fun for their MBA studies!
 
Facts:

• Final Degree: The academic degree „Master of Business Administration“ (MBA) will be jointly awarded by the Vienna University of Technology and the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU)
• Accreditation: accredited by FIBAA and AMBA
• Language of Instruction: English
• Duration: 18 months plus master’s thesis, part-time program, modules will be held in blocked seminars
• Program Start: October 2012
• Application Deadline: June 30, 2012
• Academic Directors: Univ.Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke and Univ.Prof. Dr. Sabine T. Köszegi

Contact and Further Information:
Vienna University of Technology
Continuing Education Center
MMag. Annemarie Hartlieb
Operngasse 11/017, 1040 Vienna
T: +43-1-58801-41720
<link>office@tu-wu-innovation.at
<link http: www.tu-wu-innovation.at>www.tu-wu-innovation.at