Mr. Damien Oberholzer returned to European University Montreux to give a talk entitled “Making a career in wealth management”. Mr. Oberholzer graduated in 2007and holds an MBA degree with a major in Banking & Finance from EU Montreux.

Thanks to the flexible EU study options, he was able to complete this MBA part-time and combine his buy professional life as a Portfolio Manager (2007–2009) and Client Advisor (Private Banking, 2009 to present). After an informative and engaging session for the students, EU Today caught up with Mr. Oberholzer and asked him to give his views on the values of EU education.

EU Today: What was the highlight of your presentation? In other words, what did you like most about the time you had with our students?

Mr. Oberholzer: First of all, it was a pleasure to come back to European University as an Alumni. The most interesting part was trying to bring to students information about job opportunities in the financial industry. After being a student at EU, I felt it was the right thing to come back and to give valuable advice about what you can expect from working in banking. The main goal of my presentation was to create an interest for the financial sector and answer important questions about choosing banking as a career path.

EU Today: When did you realize how important your education from EU was in your career path?

Mr. Oberholzer: I completed my MBA part-time as I was already working. Therefore, my education at EU gave me all the necessary theoretical skills that I needed in order to respond correctly to my employer. Furthermore, the international environment gave me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I learned essential skills needed in a global environment such as cultural differences, differences in working styles and how to network internationally. But learning never ends. Once in a company you constantly needs to participate to new internal or external education sources in order to be on top and demonstrate your willingness to progress.

EU Today: How did you feel as you looked back on your time in our MBA program?

Mr. Oberholzer: When I look back at my time at EU, I feel I had an enormous chance to meet certain professors who did not only teach me a subject but also motivate me to reach specific goals. I also feel really proud of being part of a powerful and international network such as the Alumni network.

EU Today: What do you remember about the time you were studying and your colleagues?

Mr. Oberholzer: I remember the time I had to rush out of work to be in class at 18.00–21.00, then going back home, eat, sleep and go back to work. It was a tough time but really rewarding. I also remember the time we spent in Mokachino in Montreux debating different subjects during breaktime with teachers and students. Last but not least, I remember the weekends in Gstaadt with some alumni and students. Great fun and parties.

EU Today: Why do you feel the Alumni Network is an important part of the guest lecturer program?

Mr. Oberholzer: As I explained during my presentation, networking is really important in today’s business world. The Alumni Network is a large base of connections that a graduate can use for finding jobs or develop a business. That is the reason I encouraged all the students to be part of the Alumni Network through the website or through Linkedin.com where EU has a group and several sub-groups. By introducing Alumni through Guest Lecturer Program, it enhances this merger process between students and alumni and also between alumni themselves. If a more people across all working sectors and with hierarchical positions went through European University, imagine all the possibilities and opportunities thet could create. For example, as a Private Banker this network is a superb potential partner. It opens a gate on the international environment that no one would have without EU.

An alumnus from European University Geneva, Mr. Juichi Nagano is currently applying his MBA skills in the political arena to pursue a very successful career in the Trade Policy Bureau division of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Currently Director of the Multilateral Trade System Department, Mr. Nagano is responsible for free trade agreement negotiations and for international investment systems within METI. More specifically, Mr. Nagano is accountable for new areas in the context of the World Trade Organization, the Doha Development Agenda and so-called ‘Singapore Issues’ including investment, competition, trade facilitation and transparency in government procurement. He is responsible for research and negotiation in free trade agreements with Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and The Philippines. He is also involved in the study on the possible modality of trilateral investment arrangements between Japan, China and Korea. Prior to joining the Trade Policy Bureau, Mr. Nagano was extensively involved in activities of standards and conformity assessment, including a secondment to the International Organization for Standardization Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.

EU Bachelor of Business Administration graduate Mr. Alex Stöckl is currently continuing his studies at the Grenoble Graduate School of Business in France (GGSB), ranked seventh in the Financial Times Global Masters ranking. EU Today caught up with him to discuss his university studies.

EU Today: As you look back on your time at EU, how would you say that your time with us prepared you for your Master at GGSB?

I must say that EU did a great job preparing me for my Master studies at GGSB. The undergraduate studies at EU gave me a perfect basis for the Master level in business.

EU Today: Did the international study environment at EU benefit your learning?

The international study environment at EU definitely benefitted my learning as it gave crucial insight into cross-cultural differences, leading to a strong broadening of perspective. Studying with students from such great variety of cultural backgrounds tremendously increased the quality of class discussions and enhanced a global way of thinking among students and faculty.

EU Today: Are there marked differences between teaching methodology at EU and Grenoble?

The greatest difference between classes taught at EU and at GGSB is that EU has a stronger focus on the practical side of the subjects. While in Grenoble I spend a lot of time reading academic theories and text books, at EU I felt a stronger emphasis on the practical approach of topics, meaning presentations, role plays and assignments.

EU Today: Can you name three aspects of your European University experience that you can relate directly to your chosen career path?

Practicality, Internationality and Approachability, are the three words I most closely link to the experience at EU that brought me to where I am today. “Practicality” refers to the approach of practical learning, meaning the application of theories to management situations. In every course plenty of short case studies are used to underline the practical use of what is being studied and having to hold at least one presentation per week makes you become an expert in communicating your opinion and pitching your ideas. “Internationality” stands for the strong diversity of nationalities and cultures within the EU classroom. Sharing knowledge and discussing issues with other students from Asia, North and South America, Africa and all over Europe makes you better understand the global environment you are going to work in and opens your eyes and mind to other cultures and different ways of doing things. Last but not least “Approachability” stands for the open-heartedness of European University’s administrative staff, but even more its faculty. Professors are not only easy to approach with classroom topics and questions about course content, but also about personal issues such as career path, advice for applications and support in difficult life decisions. While at most universities professors are rather distant from students, at EU professors build a very close relationship to their class and students which leads to strong networking boundaries.

A successful alumnus of European University’s MBA program in Montreux, Mr. Chura was born in Moscow, Russia and has been educated primarily in the United States and Switzerland. As a natural continuation to his international education and career to that point, Mr. Chura joined EU in order to equip himself with the tools required for a career change and enrolled in the Global Banking & Finance MBA major in 2006.

Even before his 2007 graduation he was asked to join Eurogestion, a hedge fund based in Geneva. He is currently a financial analyst whose duties include acquiring new investors from his native Russia, following-up from fund managers and reporting to the investment committee.

Mr. Réné van Baardewijk, EU Belgium Alumnus joined Dr. Craen at the Barcelona campus. A  successful businessman as head of chemical trading/distribution company Rebain S.L., Mr. van Baardewijk is also a pivotal member of the European University Alumni Association, supporting the coordination of  business and social networking events worldwide via electronic media such as LinkedIn, Facebook and EU’s own Alumni Grid.

During his campus visit, Mr. van Baardewijk also recorded a video interview that is available to view online.

EU Switzerland students recently had the pleasure of welcoming EU Alumnus Neil Longson to give a Career Development Seminar in Geneva and Montreux. Currently Vice-President of Business Development for the Canadian Division of W.W. Grainger Inc., Mr. Longson finished his MBA at EU Montreux in 1988. EU Today took the opportunity to talk to Mr. Longson, ask his opinion about how the presentation had gone and to comment on the value of EU education.

EU Today: What was the highlight of your presentation? In other words, what did you like most about the time you had with our students?
Neil Longson: For me the highlight of the day was spending the last 45 minutes answering questions from the students and hearing about their key issues in moving their careers forward. While each individual student had different questions and issues based on their experiences and the countries they come from, they have a consistent goal of wanting to learn and grow their careers whether it be through the corporate world  or as an independent entrepreneur.
EU Today: When did you realize how important your education from European University was in your career path?
Neil Longson: Prior to attending European University I realized that going back to earn an MBA was going to be an important part of my future as I had clear goals of the level of responsibility I wanted to achieve with an organization, and I felt that an MBA was an essential part of the path in achieving these goals. About three years after graduating from the European University MBA program, I was asked to return to Europe to complete an international assignment. The education I received at European University was an advantage as I had been exposed to many different types of students and business situations from different countries. This experience assisted me with this assignment as
well as having my employer view me as being open to relocating for international assignments.

EU Today: How do you feel as you look back on your time in our MBA program?
Neil Longson: For me, one of the most important aspects of the EU MBA program were the friendships I formed with my fellow students. Many of these relationships I still maintain today. In addition, the diversity of EU faculty truly brought a global perspective to the program.
EU Today: Where was the campus located when you were studying with us, and what do you remember about the location and your colleagues?
When I attended EU it was at the Montreux Campus in Switzerland. In 1987 the MBA Montreux campus was located on the Grand Rue. Mostly
I remember that my colleagues and I worked on case studies during the day and then attended classes at night. There were about 20 students in
our class and in addition to working on class programs we also celebrated each others’ birthdays and the different national holidays.

EU Today: Why do you feel the Alumni Network is an important part of the Career Development Program?
Neil Longson: Throughout various companies and organizations, I have seen where the relationship between the school and the alumni has been beneficial in building a global network which continues to support and invest in the school. Many companies continue to have a preference for certain institutions and it is up to the alumni to continue to build on the reputation of EU with their outstanding work and thus continue to  provide new opportunities for graduating students. Current and future alumni can be valuable in helping graduating students enter the  workforce and for providing introductions to new organizations. Overall I really enjoyed spending time with the students on career development and would welcome the opportunity do so again or to come back and occasionally teach. EU is continuing to attract exceptional students and with the continued efforts of the staff and the alumni I am convinced its students will continue to be highly sought by employers in the years to come.

EU Today interviews Alibek Seiketov, a BBA student at European University Munich campus, on his passionate pursuit of ballroom dancing. He displays the typically tenacious and ambitious attitude towards learning that EU expects from its students.

EU Today: When and why did you begin dancing?
Alibek Seiketov: I started dancing when I was eight years old. My father told me at the time: “when you grow up, all of the girls will be yours, because you can dance”. So, that’s why I decided to start dancing!

EU Today:What kind of training schedule did you put in?
Alibek Seiketov: I trained every day (even after school) for five hours a day, seven days a week. During competitions it is not unusual to dance entire days, from 9.00–21.00.
EU Today: Can you tell us more about getting started?
Alibek Seiketov: For the first six years I had only trained in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I was an Asian Champion 1999 in the junior category but it was not enough for me and that’s why I moved to Moscow for a year.

EU Today:When did you get your first ‘break’?
Alibek Seiketov: A trainer from Germany saw me dance in the Asian championship and invited me to Germany, to Berlin. He told me he had the ideal partner for me. Of course I said yes and became German Champion after four months in Germany.

EU Today:How did you career progress?
Alibek Seiketov: My results were pretty good. I competed in the German Open Championship, a kind of a World Championship because  couples from all around the world come to dance in the competition. From about 400 couples we got sixth place. So I was really happy.

EU Today:Have you now given up professional dancing for good?
Alibek Seiketov: I stopped dancing because I had to decide, what is more important for me: my sport or my education. As you can see, I have  chosen education!

EU students were fortunate enough to have a tour through the workshop of Gilbert Albert, one of the most remarkable jewellers in the world.

Gilbert Albert was born on 20 September 1930 in Geneva, Switzerland and his unique talent has won international acclaim.

He remains the only living artist since 1917 to have exhibited at the Kremlin. His much soughtafter luxury items have seen his business grow exponentially since opening his own workshop in 1961.

His motto, “If you want to stand out, discover what no-one else can see”, could be taken straight from European University philosophy.

Mr. Wayne Chien is studying for his Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) at European University Taiwan. EU Today asked him to give his views on academic life at EUTaipei.

EU Today: Can you tell us a bit about the teaching method of your DBA program?

Mr. Chien: The teaching method covers basic theory and structure analysis first, then goes into more detail with elites of the related domain field sharing best practice.

EU Today: How would you describe the study atmosphere?

Mr. Chien: Most DBA candidates here are at management level and above in different corporations. We share our past experiences, successes and failures. We also learn different possible solutions from professors. The results are always fruitful and practical.

EU students joined their alumni counterparts in celebration of the 176th  Munich Oktoberfest. More than 400 attended festivities in the exclusive Käfers Wiesen Schänke tent, frequented  by celebrities, boasting excellent traditional Bavarian dishes… and of course the  famous beer.

The event has developed from its humble beginnings as an agricultural fair to the world famous spectacular that it is today. The Oktoberfest runs over two  weeks and attracts an estimated 6,500,000 visitors per year.