Class of 2025/26

Kickoff Event

November 2025

In November 2025, we warmly welcomed the new cohort in a Kickoff Event that marked the beginning of a transformative journey.

Throughout the evening, moderated by program director Dionisi Nikolov and Dr. Rainer Matiasek, the students were introduced to the plans for the coming semesters that would bring many new experiences for them. 

Our Corporate Partners introduced themselves, looking forward to fruitful collaboration.

X-Mas Party

December 2025

To celebrate the season, a small x-mas party was held. Alongside drinks and snacks the students and professors enjoyed a cozy evening, creating warm memories apart from their studies, but just as important.

Insight Talks

January through March 2026

Insight Talk 1  January 13, 2026

Hannes Steiner and Paul Ionescu (Erste Bank) shared insights on how they assess risks and opportunities during their operations in CEE, as well as how firms differ within and outside the region.

Insight Talk 2  January 20, 2026

Andrea Gritsch (Wolf Theiss) shared her views on how regulatory and cultural contexts affect companies in their risk agaility and management in CEE.

Insight Talk 3  March 27, 2026

Tina Thallinger and Mihael Belic (Henkel) held an Insight Talk as part of the cohort's company visit and commented on the seminar topic Mitigating Risk and Exploiting Opportunities from an HR and Finance perspective.

Each talk was accompanied by lively discussions and a Q&A between the speakers and our students.

Field Trip to Warsaw

April 19 to April 22, 2026

In April, Arnold Schuh led our students on a field trip to Warsaw, where they were able to get in touch with the local economy and our local partner university SGH Warsaw School of Economics. The cohort visited our corporate partners at their polish branches and got a look into the startup scene at the Institute of Creative Industries, like 11bit studios.

These experiences directly influenced the report they would eventually present for their graduation.

Final Project and Graduation Ceremony

June 16, 2026

On June 16, 2026, we celebrated the graduation of 22 bright minds. The students showed their group research on Risk and Opportunity in CEE in a big presentation, with each student taking part in it, reporting on the key area they worked on. The students put a large focus on categorizing and differentiating the conditions in each CEE country – putting an emphasis on the high amount of diversity in the region, in risks, opportunities and cultures. This was done by looking at the specific performances of our corporate partners Henkel, Erste Group and Wolf Theiss in the region.

After the presentation and Q&A, Dionisi Nikolov granted each student their certificate and the floor was opened to socializing and networking, with lots of photos and a tasty buffet. The pictures taken really show the bonds that were made during these 8 months – bonds the students will carry into their professional lives.