On Friday, February 28, 2025, the 20th graduation ceremony of the part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) was held at the picturesque Restaurant Johannisberg in Bad Nauheim. The event marked a significant milestone for us graduates who balanced demanding careers with intensive studies over two years.

The 20th cohort was a very diverse group, representing many nationalities including Germany, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey, Albania, Russia, Poland, USA and Brazil. This international group brought together professionals from various industries such as IT, engineering, sales, logistics, tax advising, sports journalism, and chemical production.

The cohort's diversity extended beyond nationalities, highlighting the contributions of women who not only excelled academically but also managed family responsibilities. Among the five female graduates, three remarkable women embraced motherhood during their studies. Their achievements stand as a powerful testament to the strength of women in balancing professional aspirations and personal commitments.

Completing the MBA program alongside full-time jobs was a remarkable achievement for us all. The schedule of bi-weekly weekend lectures and the demanding thesis period required full dedication, time management, and perseverance. The support of our families played a crucial role, and the graduation ceremony became an emotional moment of gratitude and celebration shared with our loved ones.

The ceremony featured a keynote address by Professor Dr. Jan Freidank, Director of the THM MBA School of Business, who emphasized that the MBA is not the end but a steppingstone to lifelong learning. Outstanding students were also honored, including Mertcan Pamukci, who was recognized as the Best Student of the Year with an impressive grade point average of 1.2, followed by Stephan Senger who also achieved a GPA of 1.2, and myself, Ketut Adnyana, for receiving the Karl-Heinz Lust Innovation Award for my Thesis dealing with the practical application of AI in programming for the production industry.

From left to right: Stephan Senger, Ketut Adnyana, Mertcan Pamukci, Jan Freidank

Following the ceremony, we all gathered with our friends and family to celebrate our accomplishments, reflecting on the journey that brought us to this memorable moment. Looking ahead, we are looking forward to reunite at the upcoming alumni day, eager to continue our journey of professional growth and lifelong learning.

// Author: Ketut Adnyana