On August 29, 2017, IPADE welcomed the members of the 48th Full-Time MBA Program in both Mexico City and Monterrey campuses. The 134 students of the Class of 2019 arrived at IPADE’s two permanent campuses for a two-day orientation program, eager to begin the program that will shape their lives and meet the people that they will share it with.
The Class of 2019 consists of 25% women, and 24% of students are international, including students from China, Colombia, Germany, India, Spain, South Korea, Switzerland, the United States, Venezuela, and more.
Professor Ernesto Bolio Barajas, Director of the Full-time MBA Program, kicked things off with a presentation on IPADE and an overview of the Program.
“IPADE was the first school in the world…that wasn’t founded as part of a university. It was founded by business people, for business people” said Professor Bolio. “An IPADE MBA is someone that has a global way of thinking, someone that has a strong commitment to efficiency, someone that is open minded to technology. An MBA from IPADE will have the capacity to diagnose and solve problems…and will have the freedom to decide what is best guided by a strong ethical framework.”
Some of the orientation sessions focused on the more practical aspects of the Full-time MBA Program, including overviews of the International Office, Career Services Office, and the Chaplaincy. Additional sessions focused on the impact of an IPADE MBA on participant’s future professional and entrepreneurial careers and the mentorship opportunities available at IPADE. The final session of the orientation program was a practical introduction to the Case Method, led by Professor Julián Sánchez García.
Throughout the orientation sessions, professors and administrators emphasized the Full-time MBA Program’s focus on management, not on administration, and the incredible opportunities students will have to learn ethics alongside business management from IPADE’s full-time faculty, visiting professors, and special invited guests.
“I was sitting where you are exactly 25 years ago,” said Eduardo Osuna, CEO of BBVA Bancomer. “I remember what I would have liked to hear that first day…I’m here today to share with you some of the things that you should expect from IPADE, what you shouldn’t expect, the myths you’ve heard about the institution, and so many other things.”
The Class of 2019 was also given the opportunity to engage with their work teams and participate in team building activities, their first opportunity to work with the group that will become their family over the next two years.
Orientation concluded with a simultaneous recitation of the Full-Time MBA Code of Honor. During this 50th anniversary celebration year, IPADE is particularly proud to welcome the 134 students of the MBA Class of 2019 to our growing community of more than 37,000 students and alumni worldwide.
