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An international focus, technologies as a differentiating factor, and an entrepreneurial spirit to help guide career decisions. These are the key features of IE University’s approach to higher education, as described by IE University Rector Salvador Carmona during the graduation ceremony for the class of 2015 held on Friday, July 10.

Today IE University awarded degree titles to over one hundred and forty five of its students from thirty nine countries in a ceremony held at its Segovia campus.  The ceremony was presided by its rector and attended by the president of IE University, Santiago Íñiguez, and the president of the Castilla y León parliament, Silvia Clemente, along with other key players from the city’s academic, political, social and cultural communities. The Class of 2015 comprised 82 BBA students, 16 architecture students, 14 from communication, 14 from psychology, and 19 law students. It was the first time in its history that IE University had awarded law degrees.

In his speech in the aula magna, the rector reminded the students that the IE University learning model complements the traditional way of accumulating knowledge by taking the university experience to a new level to provide each student with an integral education, which is so important during this period of their lives. He also underscored the fact that innovation and technologies are differentiating factors of the IE University model, and that it has turned the entrepreneurial spirit into a touchstone of their future careers. “We believe that this spirit and way of understanding careers is not only for people who want to launch their own business, but also for those working in business organizations, who should see difficult times as the ideal opportunity to create and innovate.” 

The ceremony gave special recognition to the students of the class of 2015 with the best academic performance, as well as presenting the corresponding diplomas to graduates of the respective IE University degree programs. The prizes for the best academic performance went to Konstatin Conrad Baumer (business administration), Víctor Esquivel Moreno (architecture), Aylin Parla (communication), Leticia Belén Rubira Posse de Rioboo (law) and Katharina Hamann (psychology). IE University also awarded a special prize called the IE Student Award, to law graduate Ana Martínez Valls, both for her academic achievements and for her commitment, initiative, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Law graduate Chiara Bonfatti, from Belgium, gave the student’s address on behalf of all the students in her year. In her address she cited Aristoteles -  “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” - referring to the difficulties and obstacles that students encounter in the course of their degree studies, which bring their own reward in the end. Bonfatti said that she considers that she and her classmates are very fortunate to have had such a rich experience amid so many different nationalities, and to have received an education of such excellent quality.

The commencement address was delivered by prestigious lawyer Michael Reynolds, President of the IBA (International Bar Association) who currently serves as partner of law firm Allen & Overy L.L.P. Reynolds’s message to the graduates included key factors that have influenced his career, and tips that they will find very useful in their working lives.

IE - REINVENTING HIGHER EDUCATION