Maastricht School of Management conference outlines the role of business schools as think-tanks for sustainable development

A recent Maastricht School of Management (MSM) event in Romania outlined the role of business schools as think-tanks for sustainable development. The event was occasioned by the business school’s 60 year anniversary celebration and the graduation of MSM’s first local EMBA cohort.

Titled “Local Challenges + Practical Education + Local Expertise = Genuine Change,” the conference had among its speakers Matthijs van Bonzel, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Bucharest, Misu Negritoiu, chairman of ING bank and of MSM Romania’s Advisory Board, and professor Wim Naude, the dean of Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands.

Misu Negritoiu delivered a presentation on the importance of business education for a developing nation and the main skills that can be earned by business school graduates: a 360 degrees view on business and the ability to question the status quo.

Sorin Ionita (Founding Member Expert Forum), Adrian Stanciu (Partner at Maastricht School of Management Romania and Wanted Transformation) and Radu Atanasiu (alumni representative in MSM’s Advisory Board) brought forth different points of view on education and sustainability. Among the topics discussed were: correct organizational change – starting from the leader’s change from within and continuing towards the other levels of the company; the negative effect of seeking profit at all costs in detriment of a coherent mission and vision; and the MBA as a tool for personal development and self-fulfillment.

The event ended with the graduation ceremony for the students in the Executive MBA program Maastricht School of Management Romania, the first Romanian cohort to graduate.

Representatives of the embassies of Peru, Kuweit and Germany, representatives of the Romanian business environment, students of the Executive MBA program, faculty and collaborators of the school attended the event.

Maastricht School of Management was founded in 1952 and delivers its Executive MBA program in Romania as well starting from 2010. The program spans over 20 months and its mission is to create a sustainable society through its students and graduates.

The program delivers the necessary tools for creating an impact in the business environment and brings with it a local perspective (through its professors Adrian Stanciu, Marius Ghenea and Sorin Ionita) as well as a global one (professors from nine different countries) and a solid networking opportunity across different industries. A balance between academics and working professionals with a vast managing and entrepreneurial experience form the faculty.

MSM Romania is AMBA accredited.