After months of hard work and determination, professionals from around the world came together at EDHEC’s Lille campus on October 9, 2026, to celebrate a milestone they had worked towards alongside their careers and personal commitments. Surrounded by their loved ones, they marked the completion of their academic journeys and looked ahead to the possibilities of a new chapter.
Held during EDHEC’s 120th anniversary year, the ceremony celebrated how far they had come and the ambition to keep moving forward.
An online degree, an investment in yourself
The ceremony brought together graduates from EDHEC’s online Master of Science programs, Bachelor Online, Executive Master Management, and Online MBA.
Behind each diploma was a personal commitment: finding time to learn alongside other responsibilities, persevering through challenges, and staying focused on a long-term goal.
Julien Deslangle, Online International Programs Director, paid tribute to the graduates’ determination and the optimism they inspire:
Some people find that hope in superhero movies. I find mine in our students. Their courage, their determination, their hard work show not only that all is not lost, but that the best may still be ahead of us.
Throughout their learning journeys, the participants across the different programs were accompanied by the academic staff and their cohort. Through discussions, shared challenges, and mutual encouragement, they built lasting connections, and broadened their perspectives, building networks across the globe.
More than a degree, a catalyst for growth
Developing new skills, broadening perspectives, or taking a career in a new direction: the graduates’ experiences illustrated how online learning can support professional ambitions.
For Alper Kagan Yildrim, an Online MSc in International Business Management alumnus working in consulting, studying online meant investing in his future while continuing to progress in his career:
I really wanted to work on my own future, and for that I wanted to be at one of the best universities. To do that alongside my work, I needed to study online.
That allowed me to move from management consulting to strategy consulting during my studies, something I wouldn’t have been able to do during a traditional study program.
His experience reflects the value of being able to keep working while studying and put new knowledge into practice along the way.
For Ivan Sachau, an Online MSc in Corporate Finance alumnus, moving forward does not depend on waiting for ideal circumstances:
You don’t need the perfect moment or situation to start something new. And regardless of what it is, it’s better if you have smart minds around you.
Build your future with EDHEC Online
Graduation also marked the beginning of a new chapter within EDHEC’s worldwide alumni community. Benoît Arnaud, Dean of Programs, highlighted this sense of belonging during the ceremony:
Now you join thousands of leaders all around the world: 65,000 alumni. You’re now a member of the community. Lead the world to come, unleash tomorrow.
Could their achievement inspire your next step? Whether you want to develop new skills, take on greater responsibilities, or prepare for a career change, online learning can help you pursue your ambitions while continuing to work.
With flexible formats, academic support, and opportunities to connect with fellow participants, EDHEC’s online programs help you move forward with your professional goals.
Watch the replay of the October 9, 2026 graduation ceremony.
