After accadis Hochschule had broadcast an online ceremony into the living rooms of its graduates last year, the Managing Partners, Gerda Meinl-Kexel and Prof. Dr. Christoph Kexel, were pleased to return to their tradition this year. During the Graduation Ceremony on Friday, 29 October 2021 in the Landgraf-Friedrich-Saal of the Bad Homburg Kurhaus, 159 proud "Young Professionals" received their degree certificates . The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the first doctoral degree to Maria Ratz. For more impressions please see the Graduation video.
Dr. Maria Ratz is the first graduate in the doctoral program
Dr. Maria Ratz started her Bachelor studies at accadis Hochschule in 2009 and subsequently completed her Masters degree program at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. But that was not enough - the young academic dreamed of a doctorate. After a few years of professional experience, she returned to her alma mater in Bad Homburg and, as a pioneer, enrolled in the Doctor of Business Administration program. We jointly offer this program with Northumbria University Newcastle. Five years later, Dr. Maria Ratz was once again on stage at the Bad Homburg Kurhaus. This makes Managing Partner Gerda Meinl-Kexel doubly proud, because she is not only the first graduate in the doctoral program, but also completes the comprehensive accadis educational path from kindergarten to doctorate.
Bledion Vladi makes it from Albania to the stage in the Kurhaus
Bachelor's graduate Bledion Vladi is also writing his own success story. In February 2015, he came to Germany from Albania with his family and didn't speak a word of German. By chance, he became aware of accadis Hochschule and introduced himself. Without hesitation, Gerda Meinl-Kexel offered the bright and eager 16-year-old a scholarship to the accadis International School Bad Homburg. Bledion Vladi did not disappoint her and graduated three years later with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. He then decided to start his studies under the accadis Bildung umbrella as well. On Friday, he received his degree certificate for the Digital Business Management B.A.
High-ranking visitor from Dubai and personal words from politics
"Follow your passion!" - these words were given to the graduates by keynote speaker and accadis alumna of the class of 1994, Birgitta Oltersdorf. Birgitta Oltersdorf knows what she is talking about - she has been General Manager (Middle East and Africa) at Microsoft in Dubai for several years. As a member of the university advisory board, she maintains close contact with accadis senior management and traveled to Bad Homburg especially for the graduation ceremony. The mayor of the city, Alexander Hetjes, also made a point of congratulating our graduating class in person - not a matter of course given his tight schedule. Minister President of Hessia Volker Bouffier sent his greetings by video message.
The graduates of the class of 2021 were grateful to celebrate their graduation live with two relatives each. With a mask and without a champagne reception and cap throw, it was certainly a celebration with limitations. Nevertheless, thanks to the 3G rule and the hygiene concept, they were able to say goodbye to their fellow students, professors and university staff in caps and gowns