Taking Logistics into the Future - KLU graduates 2021

KLU Graduation 2021 graduates on campus throw their hats

It’s time to celebrate! 150 students have successfully completed their studies at Kühne Logistics University – despite the unique challenges posed by the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Today, they were bidden farewell in a festive ceremony in KLU’s auditorium, the “Golden Egg.” To ensure the safety and health of everyone involved, hygiene rules had to be followed on campus and the ceremony was once again a hybrid event. Families, friends and students were able to join virtually, as the entire event was streamed online.

University President Prof. Dr. Thomas Strothotte welcomed the graduates of the three master’s degree programs Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Global Supply Chain Management (Tricontinent) and Management; the MBA graduates in Leadership and Supply Chain Management; and the Bachelor’s graduates in Business Administration. He was accompanied by Dean of Research Prof. Maria Besiou and Dean of Programs Prof. Christian Barrot, while the rest of the faculty joined the ceremony online. In his speech, President Strothotte congratulated the graduates on their achievement and especially stressed the close connection between students, staff and faculty at KLU – often referred to as the “KLU family.” “This bond and close connection has helped us overcome the challenges of the last year and a half,” he claimed. “Only together will we be able to tackle the challenges ahead,” he added, “be they climate change, social sustainability or anything else.”

The President was followed by the University’s founder and benefactor, Prof. Dr. h. c. Klaus-Michael Kühne, who joined via video stream. He expressed his sincere regret that due to the current situation, he and his wife were not able to be in KLU’s auditorium in person. In his speech, he pointed out how the ability to overcome a crisis like this would also help the graduates in their future careers. Their ideas and skills would be especially needed for “the biggest challenge in the coming years” – the ecological modernization of logistics. “Your generation will play a vital role in ensuring that our planet remains worth living on,” he said. “It’s now up to you to take the reins in the medium term, and, using new ideas, to meet the expectations that the political world, and especially society, have of our industry. Help us take logistics into the future!”

A greeting by Dr. Lino Guzzella, a professor at the ETH Zürich, and the student and alumni speeches followed, before Dr. Benjamin Korman was presented with this year’s KLU Best Dissertation Award, sponsored by the Dr. Jungheinrich Foundation. Afterwards, the graduates received their certificates on stage, and then came the unique moment when they moved the tassels on their hats from left to right.

The Kühne Logistics University team wishes our graduates all the best and every success in their future careers. We’re sure that we’ll stay in touch!