From learning to leading: As we bade farewell to about 240 students, our commencement speaker former Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhia reminded the audience of the relevance of lifelong learning.
In a festive culmination of the 2024-2025 Academic Year, the university came together on 1 July to celebrate the Class of 2025. In the Kammermusiksaal of the iconic Philharmonie Berlin, we congratulated about 240 graduates on their achievements and wished them all the best for their future endeavours. This year’s graduating class included six PhD graduates, eight graduates from our Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA), and over 200 graduates from our Master of Data Science for Public Policy (MDS), Master of International Affairs (MIA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) programmes.
“You’re never too young to lead, and you’re never too old to learn”
In his widely applauded speech, this year’s commencement speaker, former President of Mongolia Elbegdorj Tsakhia, shared his wisdom and experience from more than 20 years of public service experience, which includes serving as Mongolia’s Prime Minister and President. Reflecting on his own country’s path to democracy, President Elbegdorj reminded students of one simple truth: “You’re never too young to lead, and you’re never too old to learn.”
He also shared with the graduating public policy students his view of public service: “Public service isn’t about power – it’s about people. When the people succeed, you succeed.”
President Cornelia Woll: Education is part of a larger democratic fabric
Addressing the graduating class, Hertie School President Cornelia Woll stressed the importance of education and free thought in defending a democratic society. “Authoritarian leaders are more threatened by open minds than they are by resistance,” she said. “They can handle recessions and even failed wars, but they do not know how to deal with alternative ideas. Your education is not just a personal achievement. It is part of a larger democratic fabric.”
Student commencement speakers urge fellow graduates to lead with joy, kindness and care
This year’s student commencement speakers were Sofía García-Durrer (MPP) and Isabella Urbino-Trujillo (MDS). They addressed the common purpose that bound the graduates together, despite their different backgrounds. “From distant coasts to mountain valleys, we come from very different backgrounds. What many of us share, however, is the experience of migration,” García-Durrer noted. “We are all united by a common purpose: advancing policy that meets the complexity of our times,” said Urbino-Trujillo.
In a world marked by turbulence and uncertainty, the graduates offered their peers a hopeful vision of leadership: “We are stepping into a world in crisis – where freedom and human rights are under constant attack, where long-standing conflicts persist, and a world where the place you’re randomly born still shapes the limits of your life,” they said. “So let’s respond with something the world doesn’t expect. Let’s lead with joy. Let’s choose kindness as our strength. Let’s turn care into defiance, and empathy into our boldest form of tenacity.”
Master’s Thesis Poster Competition winners and special awards bestowed upon outstanding students
Alongside celebrating the graduating class, President Woll also recognised the four winners of the Master’s Thesis Poster Competition. In a cherished Hertie School tradition, all master’s programme graduates are asked to compellingly visualise their thesis on a poster. After a team of PhD researchers shortlisted the best entries, a jury made up of faculty and staff chose the winning posters. This year’s winners are:
- Pablo Guillén and Julio Vázquez (MPP winner) – More Investment, Better Institutions? A Subnational Analysis of Foreign Direct Investment and Institutional Quality in Mexico
- Rachell Orce (MIA winner) – It’s the (Vibe of the) Economy, Stupid: How Subjective Decline Drives AfD Support
- Monserrat López Pérez (MDS winner) – Estimating the Energy Consumption of Data Centres in the European Union: Policy Implications for AI Deployment and Sustainability
- Raphael Rodrigues (Executive MPA winner) – Comparative Analysis of Labour Market Intermediation Policies: Lessons from Brazil and Germany
This year’s graduation ceremony also included the awarding of special prizes recognising outstanding students for their academic achievements and engagement in the Hertie community. Teja Adarsh Dodda, first-year MPP student, received the DAAD prize for their advocacy for equity and inclusion in the Hertie community. Puja Raghavan, second-year MPP student, was awarded the President’s Prize. Among other achievements, she played a leading role in organising several major events. Danielle Gottlieb, first-year MIA student, was bestowed the Dean’s Prize. She played a major role in organising a student site visit to the Canadian Embassy and is a key organiser and active member of the Diplomacy Club.
Moving on to new horizons
We wish our new graduates all the best as they move off to careers in the public sector, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organisations. They now join our global network of over 3,100 Hertie alumni who work and thrive around the world.
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
Watch the commencement speech given by President Elbegdorj Tsakhia below.
Photo credits: Lars Hübner and Matthias Wehofsky
Contact
-
Benjamin Stappenbeck, Director Communications