Previous Messages from the Rector

June 2011 
Rector’s Graduation Ceremony Message

Graduates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to the 2011 Graduation at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga.

This is a special year since we have the highest number of graduates ever on stage – in total 140. This also means that we have the highest number of family members, relatives and friends of  graduates here today, so let me first turn to you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the hardship you have gone through to ensure that we have a strong graduating class of 2011. This celebration is as much yours as ours, and were it possible I would like to have all of you up here on stage.

This is not only a special year since we have a record number of graduates. It is also a special year since this August marks 20 years that have passed since the three Baltic states fully regained their independence in 1991. I would argue that despite the recent economic crisis and the last weeks of Latvian political turmoil, the first 20 years of regained independence have overall been a success story for all three Baltic countries.

To some extent you, the class of 2011, are in a position similar to that of the Baltic politicians in 1991 when they were embarking the road of independence – it was a road they had never travelled before. And in a few minutes you will embark on an equally unknown road – the road of SSE Riga graduates which is also a road to independence.

Maybe we can learn something about  the road that is ahead of you by looking back on 20 years of Baltic independence.

Although 1991 is the year, my story starts two years earlier in 1989 (I know that several of our BSc. graduates were not even born then). To me, being an outsider, this is the year when I started to think about regained Baltic independence. What triggered my thinking was what was to be called the “Baltic Way”. Across borders, across nationalities and ethnic groups people were forming a chain from Vilnius in the south to Tallinn in the north. This proved to be crucial and formed a strong basis in the quest for independence. At SSE Riga we have not formed a chain between the three Baltic capitals, but we have worked in a somewhat similar way, trying to mix you in all possible ways, believing that the more diverse the better. This experience and the networks created will form a solid basis for your travels on the road as SSE Riga graduates. Hence, the first lesson to be learnt is to try to cross as many borders as possible, be it national, be it cultural, be it ethnic, this will facilitate and enrich your walk along the road of SSE Riga graduates.

Now when you, in a few minutes, will stand there with the Diploma – what should you expect? The Diploma is in many ways like regained independence – you have the freedom to act, but might not really know how to do it. So: what to do? Do like the Baltic politicians did, get in touch with friends from near and far. Here I think you are better off than the Baltic states were in 1991 since you have the entire network of SSE Riga as well as SSE Alumni at your disposal.

However, no matter how good the advice you’ll get, always remember that the decisions are yours and aim high, even higher than your friends might think is doable. Few would have been taken seriously had they, back in 1991, said that in 20 years Estonia would be one of the countries most integrated in a European and international context - with Latvia and Lithuania just a few steps behind. The second lesson tells us: Take advice, but never let it prevent you from fulfilling your dreams.

In other words aim high, but do not forget the realities. As last years’ Baltic experience has shown, even business and economics have their laws of gravity. Debt is still debt, a liability is always a liability and inflation cannot be anything but inflation no matter what you call it. As long as you remember this and as long as you remain truthful to your fundamental values you will not run the risk of taking what appear to be shortcuts but eventually turn out to be routes to disaster. Hence, the third and last lesson is very clear: There are no shortcuts, neither in economics nor in morals to long-term success or prosperity.

Finally, today we see the Baltic countries being invited to Number 10 Downing Street to share their experiences. Even though you might not be invited to meet the British Prime Minister, I am convinced that you, as SSE Riga alumni, will be good role models ready to support and share your experience with future generations of SSE Riga graduates when they too will embark on the road of independence.

Good luck in building your independence with the help of your Diploma, and remember that independence can never be built without the help of others!

Thank you!

Anders Paalzow
Rector, SSE Riga  

Commencement Speech by Ulrika Cronenberg-Mossberg >

August 2010
Rector’s Welcome

In the yearly cycle of SSE Riga, the months of June and July mean saying farewell to our graduates and starting to identify the graduates to be. Having seen this year’s test results and having had an opportunity to participate in a few interviews, I would say that the quality of this year’s applicants is as good as ever. In this context there are two more observations worth emphasizing.

Firstly, Baltic secondary schools and their teachers do, against the commonly held belief, a very good job in preparing their pupils for higher education. Secondly, SSE Riga’s main competitors are located outside the region – several candidates told that they were considering going abroad for studies were they not admitted to SSE Riga. Hence, the main challenge facing not only SSE Riga, but the entire higher education sector in the Baltic countries is to be competitive at a European level.

By providing an education that is competitive at the European level, SSE Riga gives talented Baltic students an opportunity to stay “at home” rather than go abroad for studies. Otherwise, the most talented might leave the region and once they have, it will be difficult to lure them back. In this context I am happy to reveal that the Swedish foundation “Anne-Marie and Gustaf Anders stiftelse för medieforskning” has joined TeliaSonera as one of the School’s major benefactors, ensuring the long-term development of the School for the benefit of the Baltic countries and their talented youth.

Anders Paalzow
Rector, SSE Riga