Dr. Zeger De Graeve: Redefining Leadership and Learning at LEARN 2025

Q: What stood out to you most at LEARN 2025?

Every time I attend an event in Saudi Arabia, I’m struck by the energy and ambition driving each initiative. LEARN 2025 captured that spirit perfectly. It’s more than a conference, it’s a mirror of how education, innovation, and entrepreneurship are converging in the Kingdom. Events like this allow schools to connect with their markets, their partners, and even their competitors. That kind of dialogue keeps education relevant and responsive to the pace of change.

Q: How does MBSC fit within this evolving education landscape?

Our role is to provide world-class education in entrepreneurship and business right here at home. In the past, many Saudi students went abroad in search of that experience. Today, that’s no longer necessary. Prince Mohammed bin Salman College delivers that same level of excellence, rooted in global standards but shaped by local context. The Kingdom is becoming a global center for business and innovation, and our students are part of that transformation.

Q: You often emphasize leadership. How do you define it in today’s world?

Leadership has never been about titles, it’s about people. Education, at its core, is a people business. At MBSC, we teach our students to work effectively with others, to create value, and to execute with purpose. Technology, including AI, is changing how we work, but not why we work. AI is a remarkable tool, like a pen, created by people to serve people. What matters is how leaders use it: wisely, ethically, and creativity.

Q: Global partnerships are clearly a cornerstone of MBSC’s approach. Why are they so essential?

Because business is global. Our graduates need to be equally confident in Riyadh, London, or Singapore. Partnerships with institutions such as Oxford University and Babson College allow our students to experience different markets, cultures, and business mindsets. They return not only with knowledge but with perspective—the ability to lead across borders.

Q: And what about local partnerships? How do they complement that global reach?

Local partnerships are where theory meet reality. They’re critical for internships, projects, innovation, and understanding the Saudi market firsthand. We work closely with businesses and organizations to ensure our students learn from real challenges, not just case studies. That’s how we nurture leaders who build solutions from here, to here.

Q: Looking ahead, what’s next for MBSC after LEARN 2025?

Momentum. LEARN 2025 reminded us that the appetite for transformation is stronger than ever. Our mission is to keep that momentum alive, to empower our students to lead with purpose, innovate with confidence, and contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom’s growth story. Education, when done right, doesn’t just change careers, it changes futures.