RWTH Business School 2025 Year in Review: Highlights, Milestones & Community Moments
2025 was a year shaped by connection, collaboration, and growth at RWTH Business School. Across programs, events, and partnerships, our community of students, alumni, industry partners, and staff came together to learn, innovate, and achieve great things.
Welcoming New Faces & Growing Our Community
This year at RWTH Business School began with fresh momentum as we welcomed several new team members who strengthened our academic, program, and support units. Their expertise and enthusiasm infuse our daily work with new ideas and help us continue shaping an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.
As the academic year progressed, our new cohort of 144 students joined during Welcome Week at the end of September. From city rallies to Welcome Day festivities, it was a week full of laughter, networking, and new connections, an inspiring start for our latest cohort.
Connecting Students with Industry
In 2025, we continued to bring students closer to industry through events, practical learning, and company collaborations. At our very own Career Day, companies like KPMG, Siemens, QIAGEN, and Henkel offered workshops, career insights, internships and jobs.
Meanwhile, company visits and international study modules, including the M.Sc. The MME TIME study trip to Cambridge and Executive MBA modules abroad provided students with hands-on experience in innovation ecosystems and global business environments. These activities support our goal of delivering practice-oriented business education.
Innovation and Sustainability in Focus
Innovation remained a key theme this year. Our Innovative Tuesday series explored topics such as AI, digital transformation, and sustainability. Sessions with companies such as Siemens, Saint-Gobain, and KPMG encouraged students to think creatively about the future of business.
A major milestone was the launch of the Sustainability Student Club founded by a group of our M.Sc. Sustainability Management students. With workshops, expert talks, and discussions on carbon credits, the club quickly became a platform for students who want to make a positive impact.
Celebrating Achievements
We celebrated academic milestones across the board. Roughly 135 of our students successfully graduated, including the 19th Executive MBA cohort, with the program receiving reaccreditation, a testament to its high standards and practical relevance.
Speaking about the Executive MBA, a leadership transition was made, as Prof. Dr. Daniel Wentzel took over as Academic Director from Prof. Dr. Frank Piller, guiding the program with his expertise in marketing and innovation.
We also participated in the RWTH graduation ceremony, congratulating our other students on completing their studies and welcoming them into the alumni network.
Empowering Professionals Through Corporate Programs
Our executive and corporate programs played a major role in developing future-ready skills for professionals and partner companies.
Highlights included:
- Produktunternehmer 4 with Deutsche Telekom, focusing on innovation, AI, and stage-gate processes.
- Business Analytics & Decision Science, turning data into strategic decisions.
- The Digital Expert Zollverein Program 2025, which ended with inspiring digital project pitches.
A special achievement: The H2 Innovator program, developed with OGE for their junior talents, won the HR Energy Award 2025. This program prepares future experts for the hydrogen economy through innovation, teamwork, and applied learning.
Through these tailored programs, RWTH Business School continues to help companies strengthen their workforce and drive meaningful transformation.
A Community That Gives Back
In 2025, our community also made time for social impact. During Social Day Aachen, the RWTH Business School office team supported Freundeskreis Botanischer Garten e.V. by pruning, weeding, and caring for local apple trees. It was a powerful reminder that leadership also means giving back.
Looking Ahead
This year showed how much our community can achieve when we share ideas, support each other, and stay curious. As we move into 2026, we are excited to welcome new students, start new projects, and continue building an inspiring learning environment.
Here’s to another year of learning, connecting, and shaping the future. 💙