Weaving a common world: the kick-off of the 2025/26 Professional Masters

27 October 2025

On October 22, the new edition of the Professional Masters at Bologna Business School officially began. The opening day brought together the participants of this new edition for a rich program of meetings, inspiration, and experiential activities.

The event marked the beginning of a learning journey that connects people, experiences, and cultures, united by a shared goal: to grow both professionally and personally in an environment open to dialogue and innovation.

Paola Giuri, Associate Dean for Professional Masters and Professor of Management at the University of Bologna, welcomed the participants with a speech focused on personal responsibility in learning. Her message encouraged students to live the Master as a conscious process of building their future, grounded in listening, commitment, and openness to change.

The conversation between faculty and alumni offered an opportunity to share experiences and reflect on how the Master journey transforms careers and mindsets. The voices of former participants showed how the encounter with peers, professors, and companies can redefine the way we think about work, professional relationships, and aspirations. Each story provided a concrete perspective on the link between education and personal growth, highlighting the importance of active and open participation.

Federico Baffetti, entrepreneur and lecturer in Artificial Intelligence, outlined the transformations that AI is generating in the world of work. His analysis emphasized the need to acquire new skills and to develop a vision that integrates technology and creativity, data and responsibility. In a fast-changing context, flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to navigate evolving tools and scenarios are becoming essential.

On this same horizon, Daniela Bolzani, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, focused on the ethical dimension of education. Her contribution reaffirmed the central role of the human being as the true driver of transformation, stressing the value of listening, fairness, and relationships — principles that remain crucial even in highly technological environments.

In the afternoon, a participatory art workshop led by theatre director Pietro Floridia and visual artist Sarah Pour engaged participants in a collective creation: “Passaggi di sapere” (Passages of Knowledge). The activity led to the creation of eight large canvases, each the result of collaborative work between groups invited to choose an object symbolizing knowledge to be passed on. Writing, drawing, and printing turned ideas into visual expression. The outcome was a collective tapestry representing knowledge as a shared good — something that circulates, connects, and generates meaning.

The following day, the visit to Villa Guastavillani and the meetings with each Master’s staff allowed participants to engage more closely with the School’s environment and programs. On October 24, the San Luca Experience, a collective walk under the portico leading to the Sanctuary, offered a moment of shared reflection outside the classroom — closing the welcome program in a symbolic, informal, and relational setting.