Welcoming 1,350 students from 80 countries, the Opening Ceremony focused on the decisions facing tomorrow's leaders, from technological innovation to sustainability.
ESCP officially inaugurated the 2026–2027 academic year at its Turin Campus, welcoming students, faculty, alumni, institutional representatives and business leaders for a ceremony focused on the challenges facing the next generation of leaders.
With approximately 1,350 students from 80 countries, ESCP Turin Campus begins the new academic year as one of Italy's most international academic communities, combining a European approach to management education with strong ties to the local business community.
A European community with strong ties to Turin
The ceremony opened with a welcome address by Professor Alberta Di Giuli, Dean of ESCP Turin Campus, followed by remarks from Professor Francesco Profumo, President of ESCP Turin, and Professor Thomas Jeanjean, Executive President and Dean of ESCP.
Institutional representatives included Anne-Marie Descôtes, French Ambassador to Italy; Andrea Tronzano, Councillor for Budget, Finance, Economic and Financial Planning, State Assets and Productive Activities of the Piedmont Region; Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of Turin and the Metropolitan City of Turin; Stéphane Fratacci, Chief Executive Officer of the Paris Île-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Massimiliano Cipolletta, President of the Turin Chamber of Commerce.
Their participation reflected the close relationship between ESCP and Italian and French institutions, as well as the Turin Campus's established presence in the region.
“Internationalisation is in ESCP's DNA, and our Turin Campus is a clear example of this. Within the Italian academic system, we represent something rather unusual: 75% of our students come from abroad, representing 80 different countries. This international dimension goes hand in hand with increasingly strong ties to Turin, its institutions and its business community. It is precisely through the dialogue between a global academic community and the local area that important opportunities arise for our students and the companies we work with,” said Professor Alberta Di Giuli, Dean of ESCP Turin Campus.
Tomorrow's Challenges, Today's Choices
The central event of the morning was a roundtable discussion entitled “Tomorrow's Challenges, Today's Choices”, examining the economic, technological and environmental developments that will influence business decisions over the next decade.
Three speakers joined the discussion:
- Antonio Ciccolella, Senior Advisor to Earth Observation Programmes at the European Space Agency (ESA).
- Giovanni Di Stefano, Head of Advanced Robotics at Comau and ESCP Executive MBA alumnus
- Alice Iaia, Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Drawing on their experience in aerospace, advanced robotics and strategic consulting, the speakers discussed the implications of technological innovation for companies and society.
The conversation covered artificial intelligence, energy, climate change and industrial competitiveness, with particular attention to the decisions organisations need to make today to prepare for the years ahead.
Students had the opportunity to engage with professionals working in sectors where technological developments are already changing business models and industrial processes.
The roundtable was moderated by two ESCP Student Ambassadors: Olivia Dumont, from France, a first-year Master in Management student, and Elisabedi Suramelashvili, from Georgia, a third-year Bachelor in Management (BSc) student.
The morning continued with the Academic Address by Professor Francesco Rattalino, Senior Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs at ESCP, followed by closing remarks from Professor Alberta Di Giuli.
Turin's role in ESCP's European strategy
As ESCP moves forward with its “Bold & United” strategic plan under the leadership of Professor Thomas Jeanjean, Executive President and Dean of ESCP, Turin continues to play an important role in the institution's development, building on its international academic community and strong ties with local institutions and businesses.
“ESCP's Turin Campus is a strategic part of our European multi-campus model,” said Professor Thomas Jeanjean. “The city's rich cultural heritage, dynamic economy and diverse community offer the perfect launchpad for our students to thrive, in business and beyond.”
The Opening Ceremony also offered an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities that come with leadership. The questions raised during “Tomorrow's Challenges, Today's Choices”, from technological change to sustainability, will remain central to the education of students preparing to make decisions in an increasingly complex economic environment.
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