Global MBA Kick-Off Week: where visions, community, and enterprises meet

24 September 2025

Each year, the beginning of the Global MBA marks the launch of an international program of excellence and the entry into a vibrant learning community, shaped by stories, ambitions, and encounters that generate new opportunities.

The eighteenth edition of the Global MBA started at Bologna Business School with an intensive agenda aimed at building meaningful relationships among students, faculty, and the business world. From strategic business games to talks with Alumni and Industry Leaders, from cultural exploration to immersive company visits, the week set the tone for a year defined by interdisciplinary learning and practical insight.

One of the highlights of the week was the visit to Davines Village, headquarters of the renowned Italian beauty brand celebrated for its sustainability vision and close ties with Bologna Business School. Welcomed by Chief Sustainability Officer Sonia Ziveri, participants explored both the design-rich architecture of the site and the deeper mission behind the brand: creating beauty sustainably, for people and the planet.

Georgia Katherine Fewell, student of the Global MBA in Food & Wine, reflected on the experience:

“The insights we gained from Davines were truly eye-opening — not just for me, but for many of my classmates. It was inspiring to discover such an impactful company, and even more so to meet a BBS alumnus leading the team and demonstrating how far he has come since graduating from Bologna Business School.”

The Kick-Off Week was also a moment to discover the city that will host the class for the next year — and possibly beyond:

“Our tour of Bologna, and the discovery of the city itself, revealed the profound history and enduring tradition of learning, art, and education that have defined it for centuries. It made me feel profoundly proud to be a part of the long legacy of academics who have chosen these streets to study on. It has struck me with one thought alone: this is a remarkable place”.

At the heart of this welcoming experience was the Global MBA Team, who made the transition into this new chapter feel seamless:

“The Kick-Off Week at Bologna Business School was a wonderful surprise. After the whirlwind of visas, paperwork, and navigating Italian bureaucracy, the first day of school seemed to arrive overnight — but the BBS team made the transition seamless and energizing. From the welcoming lunch to the carefully curated schedule, the week was both inspiring and challenging, truly setting the tone for the year ahead. A highlight was the personal tour of Davines, an Italian beauty and cosmetics company known for its commitment to sustainability and connection to BBS through its Alumni”.

The Kick-Off Week concluded with a clear message from the Master’s Director, Professor Marcello Russo: “The Global MBA is certainly an important and demanding learning journey, but above all it is an experience that multiplies opportunities, connections, and perspectives. And for the Class of 2025/26, this is just the beginning.”