For one evening, the Corvinus alumni and former students of its predecessor institutions filled the main hall and the lounge of Building E: graduates from as far back as 1969 to the more recent years met at the university’s annual alumni reunion, with over nine hundred alumni celebrating together on this special evening. 

The event was opened by Rector Bruno van Pottelsberghe, who remarked that a strong alumni community is the greatest asset of any university, which is why Corvinus is now focusing on the development and strengthening of its alumni network. 

“For decades, Corvinus graduates have been among the leading professionals in the country, and we are very proud of the successes of our alumni. I encourage you to join the Corvinus alumni community, to regularly return to the university’s events, and to support the current students with your knowledge and expertise,”

said the rector in his welcoming speech. 

This year, the university also established an award to recognize alumni who have made outstanding professional achievements while also actively supporting their alma mater’s community. For the first time, the Corvinus rector presented the Alumni of the Year Award in two categories. The Professional Excellence Alumni Impact Award went to András Becsei, Deputy CEO of OTP Bank Group, in recognition of his outstanding professional career and continuous support for the Corvinus community. 

András Becsei stated that he owes a lot to the university, as Corvinus provided him with the necessary professional foundations to become a successful leader. He added that he fondly remembers his student years at the university, and as an alumnus, he will remain an active member of the community in the future. 

The Alumni of the Year – Next Generation Alumni Impact Award, a category for alumni under 30, recognized Sainath Adelli for his efforts in supporting the community. Sainath, an Indian-born graduate of the Corvinus MBA program in 2023, enthusiastically and actively supports current students through individual mentoring and participation in various university events. 

In his thank-you speech, Sainath mentioned that he arrived in Budapest alone and lonely in 2021, but found a second home and a supportive community at Corvinus. He added that receiving this recognition from the university is a dream come true for him and his family. 

The evening continued with an informal program. The atmosphere was enhanced by a live band, followed by a DJ, and the event organizers prepared several surprises for the guests: interested attendees could take part in chocolate and wine tastings, and groups had the opportunity to take photos at a selfie station. Many also wrote a few lines and attached photos to the alumni memory book placed next to the selfie station.