The FINANCIAL — LBS Dean François Ortalo-Magné addresses guests at MBA celebrations at the Science Musuem.
London Business School (LBS) has honoured its inaugural MBA graduates at a gala event marking half-a-century of the flagship degree programme.
More than 400 alumni, faculty, staff, students and special guests attended the milestone celebration at the Science Museum in South Kensington on Thursday, March 8.
LBS launched its MBA programme – then known as the Master of Science (MSc) in Business Studies – in 1966, producing its first graduating class two years later in 1968. The cohort was made up of 38 men and one woman.
Addressing guests at the gala, Dean François Ortalo-Magné paid tribute to members of the first graduating class present, according to LBS.
“I’m delighted to have members of our very first class here to celebrate with us – along with alumni from across our programmes. This is a manifestation of the strength of our community and the longevity of the relationships that we build,” he said.
Today, current and incoming LBS MBA students can elect to complete their studies in 15, 18 or 21 months. The School’s 2019 MBA class is made up of 431 students representing 63 nationalities. Women now make up 39% of the cohort.
Julia Marsh, Associate Dean of Degree Education and Career Centre, told guests that plans were underway to recruit the largest MBA cohort ever this summer.
“We have recently concluded the programme review and, as a result of it, we are now offering one of the most flexible Global MBAs in the world,” she said.
Marsh said that meant each student was able to tailor their studies according to what she or he wanted to learn.
“We’ve also introduced some really interesting new subjects in the areas of digital strategy, business analytics, customer markets & insights, and entrepreneurship.”
LBS Professor of Organisational Behaviour Dan Cable spoke about findings in his new book Alive at Work and highlighted the importance of engaging rather than suppressing employees’ seeking system – a part of the brain that drives humans’ curiosity and desire to seek knowledge.
He also took part in a question and answer session alongside Bart Becht, Chairman of JAB.
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