Sandra Rafter’s Post

Last week, I attended the Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™) Europe Conference in Portugal, hosted at Nova School of Business and Economics - a stunning campus right by the beach. While there wasn’t time for surfing, we did enjoy one breakout session on the sand! The two-day event was packed with engaging sessions and lively discussions, covering everything from the impact of AI on recruitment to mastering change management and navigating the geopolitical shifts shaping demand for graduate management education. What stood out most for me was the incredibly inclusive and supportive environment that exists within this sector. The conference brought together marketing and recruitment professionals from all over the world, creating a vibrant space for sharing ideas, strategies, and best practices. One trend that resonated across the board was the growing demand for online MBA programmes, both in Europe and globally - a shift we’re certainly seeing ourselves with the rising interest in our Flexible Executive MBA at Trinity Business School. A big thank you to GMAC for organising such a fantastic conference and a truly memorable dinner in the Fortress, and of course, to my colleagues Phoebe Tyrrell and John Collins for their great company throughout!