Students who successfully completed the 17th edition of the FIFA Master course were honoured in a graduation ceremony on 14 July.
Opened by Professor Denis Oswald, Director of CIES, in the Grand Council Room at the Chateau of Neuchatel, Pierre Cornu, President of CIES Foundation Council, welcomed the class, their families, friends and distinguished guests to the concluding event of their academic year.
Rewarding the hard work displayed during the course, the event also provided a unique moment where students could proudly reflect on their achievements and the new and lasting friendships which has been created.
Speeches were given by:
Gilles Jaquet, Head of Sport Services of the Canton of Neuchâtel and official representative of the Government from the Canton of Neuchâtel
Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor and Chief executive of De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester (UK)
Professor Emanuele Vendramini, Professor at SDA Bocconi-School of Management, Milan (Italy) and official representative of SDA Bocconi-School of Management and Professor Daniel Schulthess
Vice-Rector and official representative of the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland)
Following speeches and a musical interlude by Pascal Crisinel, the President of the association of FIFA Master Alumni, Giancarlo Dapoto, spoke about the importance of the alumni community in the world of sport.
Zvonimir Boban, FIFA Deputy Secretary General, warmly congratulated the students for their achievement in a speech, sharing his vision for the future of football.
Each student received his or her diploma from Professor Oswald and Boban before the best group presentations were recognised with the Madella Award, also given by the former Croatia international.
Finally, Shoko Tsuji and Srinivasan Saimani, representing the graduates of the 17th edition, addressed the class and looked back on their memories of this academic year.
The CIES Director closed the ceremony by thanking the Scientific Committee and the administrative staff of the three partner universities for their hard work. CIES, De Montfort University, SDA Bocconi School of Management and the University of Neuchatel warmly congratulate the new graduates and wish them every success for the future.