2025 EFMD Master Programmes Conference

Name: 2025 EFMD Master Programmes Conference
Start: 2025-12-03T17:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-12-05T13:30:00+01:00
Location: Bologna Business School

Beyond Bologna: Shaping the next generation of business masters

Face to Face

3 December

- 5 December

Bologna,

Italy

virginie.heredia-rosa@efmdglobal.org

Event details

The EFMD Master Programmes Conference is tailored to the expectations of directors and administrators of MSc and MA programmes worldwide. It is a unique occasion for networking, sharing, and debating issues and opportunities in Masters programmes.

Due to their working experience and individual motivations, students’ backgrounds are diverse when entering a master’s programme. Keeping in mind the complexity of managing Masters programmes, we base the sessions around topics such as global trends and new markets for Masters programmes while staying relevant to all attendees.

Please note: this conference will not address MBA programmes, as EFMD organises a yearly event dedicated exclusively to them.

Target group

All those involved in Master programmes.

Programme

17:00 – 17:20

Welcome and opening remarks

Host: Massimo Bergami, Dean, Bologna Business School (BBS), IT
EFMD: Friedemann Schulze-Fielitz, Director Business School Services, EFMD Global
Chairperson: Paola Giuri, Associate Dean, Bologna Business School (BBS), IT

17:20 – 18:00

Opening keynote: The disruptions from Bologna to today

Eric Cornuel, President, EFMD Global

18:00 – 18:30

Keynote address: The intellectual foundation for the next generation of business leaders.

Andrew Hoffman, Professor of Sustainable Enterprise, University of Michigan, US

18:30 – 19:30

Ice-breaking activity

19:30 – 21:30

Welcome dinner

09:00 – 09:40

Plenary: Best practices in AI

This session will explore best practices in the use of AI, highlighting successful examples in pedagogy, admissions, and operational efficiency. It will also examine how institutions adapt AI effectively within Master’s programme.

Chintan Kella, Lecturer, Department of Organisation and Personnel Management, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, NL

09:40 – 10:30

Follow-up discussion on AI

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee break

11:00 – 11:45

Feedback in a bigger group

11:45 – 12:30

What skills will graduates need, given the AI and deglobalisation disruptions?

This session will explore the skills graduates will need in response to AI advancements and deglobalization, and examine how these forces are reshaping recruiting trends.

Nicola Antonio Sotira, Head of Technologies and Manufacturing HR, Ferrari, IT
Luca Bauckneht, Chief People Officer, Faac Technologies, IT

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 15:00

Breakout sessions

A1: Building and managing a competitive degree portfolio

Join peers to discuss what makes a master’s portfolio stand out, from strategic positioning to ensuring long-term relevance and impact. Based on new research from more than 40 leaders of Masters Portfolios across 10 countries, this interactive session will discuss challenges and opportunities in building and managing a competitive master’s portfolio.

Mark Thomas, Director of Research, Hardcastle & Associates, UK
Sarah Hardcastle, Founder, Hardcastle & Associates, UK

A2: The impact of technolgies on mental health of students

This session will examine the relationship between mental health and emerging technologies, highlighting practical strategies institutions can use to support students better.

Carolina Champalimaud, Well-being Team Leader, Life, Nova School of Business and Economics, PT

15:00 – 15:30

Coffee break

15:30 – 16:00

Feedback on breakout sessions

16:00 – 16:45

Rethinking international collaboration in times of deglobalisation

This session will examine how international collaboration can be rethought in an era of deglobalization. And we will discuss strategies for addressing challenges at multiple levels.

Ramon Noguera, Academic Director, EADA Business School, SP

19:00 – 21:30

Conference dinner at MAST Foundation and gallery visit

09:30 – 10:00

Insights from GMAC Application Trends Survey

Join us to explore how demand is evolving across graduate management education—with a special focus on trends shaping business master’s programmes.
Whether you’re planning future enrollment cycles, refining your program portfolio, or positioning your school in a competitive market, this session will provide actionable insights to guide your strategy.

Sara Strafino, Director, Market Development, Europe, GMAC

10:00 – 10:30

Coffee break

10:30 – 11:15

Leadership

This session will focus on positive leadership, highlighting the skills and approaches that can help leaders become even more effective in their roles.

Lelio Gavazza, CEO of Tom Ford Fashion, IT

11:15 – 11: 45

Consolidation and looking forward

11:45 – 12:00

Chair conclusion

Paola Giuri, Associate Dean, Bologna Business School (BBS), IT

12:00 – 13:30

Lunch

Speakers

Luca Bauckneht

Chief People Officer

Faac Technologies

Massimo Bergami

Dean

Bologna Business School

Carolina Champalimaud

Well-being Team Leader

Nova School of Business and Economics

Eric Cornuel

President

EFMD Global

Lelio Gavazza

Chief Executive Officer

Tom Ford Fashion

Paola Giuri

Associate Dean

Bologna Business School

Sarah Hardcastle

Founder

Hardcastle & Associates

Chintan Kella

Lecturer, Department of Organisation and Personnel Management

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

Ramon Noguera

Academic Director

EADA Business School

Friedemann Schulze-Fielitz

Director, Business School Services & EFMD Global Network Americas

EFMD Global

Nicolas Antonio Sotira

Head of Technologies and Manufacturing HR

Ferrari

Sara Strafino

Director, Market Development, Europe

GMAC

Mark Thomas

Hardcastle & Associates

Accommodation

EFMD has secured rooms at Starhotels Excelsior hotel 4*

Conveniently located directly across from Bologna’s main train station
Rate: €165 + €7 city tax per night, breakfast included
Free cancellation until 4:00 PM (local time) one day prior to arrival
50% of the rooms will be released on 3 October 2025; the remaining rooms will be released on 10 November 2025

Please note that all rooms are subject to availability at the time of booking.

To make a reservation, please follow this link.

Registration fees

Early bird fee until 10 October 2025 included

915€ (750€ + 22% VAT) members of EFMD
1342€ (1100€ + 22% VAT) non-members of EFMD
1952€ (1600 + 22% VAT) third-party*

Registration fee as of 11 October 2025

1403€ (1150€ + 22% VAT) members of EFMD
1830€ (1500€ + 22% VAT) non-members of EFMD
2440€ (2000 + 22% VAT) third-party*

Please note that a 25% discount applies for every third and subsequent participant from the same institution. If you are your institution’s third person registering, please contact master@efmdglobal.org to receive your registration link.

* The third-party fee is aimed at EFMD non-members who are not representatives of universities, business schools or corporate universities.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations must be confirmed in writing. If EFMD is notified of your withdrawal by 5 November 2025, an administrative cancellation fee of (75€ + local VAT) will apply. After this date, we regret that no refunds can be issued. However, substitutions are allowed at no additional cost provided EFMD is informed of the substitute’s name, title and email address. Conference fees are not transferable to other EFMD events.

Please note that if payment (or proof of payment) is not received by 19 November 2025, your name will not be included in the participants’ list.

Host

Venue

Bologna Business School
New campus – North Pavilion
Via degli Scalini 23,
Bologna 40136,
Italy

How to get there

Recommended Taxi Services:

CO.TA.BO. (Cooperativa Taxisti Bolognesi)
- Phone: +39 051 372727
- App: Btaxi app (available for both Apple and Android)
- Website: cotabo.it
Radio Taxi Cat
- Phone: +39 0514590
- WhatsApp Booking: Send an SMS to +39 0514590
Cosepuri Divisione Auto (black cab)
- Phone: + 39 051 519090
- Email: booking@cosepuri.it

Journey time and cost:

From Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Bologna Business School:
- Time: about 25-30 minutes.
- Cost: approximately €16-25, depending on time and traffic.
From Bologna Central Train Station/ City centre to Bologna Business School:
- Time: about 15-20 minutes.
- Cost: approximately €12-18.

By Train

Arrival Station: Bologna Centrale, connected to all major Italian cities:
- From Milan: high-speed trains, 1h-1h15m, from €26
- From Florence: high-speed trains, 33-37 minutes, from €29.
- From Rome: high-speed trains, 1h58m-2h15m, from €60.

There is the possibility of getting cheaper prices by booking in advance.

- Schedules and tickets: Italo treno , Trenitalia

From the Bologna Centrale train station to Bologna Business School:

Bus
- Take bus 32 to Porta Castiglione, then line 59 to “Villa Guastavillani” (the stop is right in front of the school). TPER Line 59
- Total time: about 35-45 minutes (including waiting times).

Taxi

- Time: about 15-20 minutes.
- Cost: approximately €12-18.

By Metro

Bologna does not have an urban metro system. Public transport is by bus.

By Plane
From Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) to Bologna Centrale Train Station:

Distance: 5.3 km from the city centre.
- Marconi Express (Monorail): 7 minutes, €12.80 one-way, €23.30 round-trip. Marconi Express website
- Bus 944: 26 minutes, €6.

From Bologna Central Train Station or the city centre to Bologna Business School:

Bus:
- Line 59 from Piazza Cavour (city centre) directly to Villa Guastavillani (the stop is right in front of the school).
  - Timetables: TPER Line 59
  - Journey time: about 20 minutes from the centre.

Taxi: 15–25 minutes, €16–25.
- Time: about 15-20 minutes.
- Cost: approximately €12-18.

From Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Take the Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale (about 50 minutes, €13). Malpensa express website
Take a high-speed train from Milano Centrale to Bologna Centrale (1h–1h15m, from €26).
From Bologna Centrale, proceed as above (bus or taxi to Bologna Business School).
Total travel time: 2.5–3 hours (including transfers).
Total cost: €60–€90 (depending on the train type, time, and advanced booking).