On Wednesday, May 21, at the Marius restaurant overlooking Monaco’s iconic Port Hercule, the International University of Monaco (IUM) celebrated ten years of evolution in its yachting-focused management education within the MSc Luxury Management programme, an initiative developed in partnership with the Monaco Yachting Cluster.

"It is both a pleasure and a source of great pride to bring together our alumni working in the yachting sector - the outcome of this unique academic journey, supported by Monaco’s business community. Every year, we welcome students from around the world to our Business Management in Yachting programme, reflecting the Principality’s standing as a global capital of yachting," said Dr. Jean-Philippe Muller, Directeur General and Dean.

The event was also organised as part of the Principality’s participation in World Boating Day, the international initiative created to raise public awareness of the cultural, economic and social significance of the maritime and yachting industries. In this context, the IUM gathering represented one of Monaco’s official contributions, serving not only as a celebration but also as an opportunity to open a broader discussion on some of the most sensitive and strategic issues currently shaping the future of the sector.

What began in 2016 as a simple yachting-focused academic track has progressively evolved into a fully structured specialisation, officially launching in 2026 with more than 200 hours of dedicated coursework and experiential projects developed in collaboration with major industry players such as Azimut Benetti, YATCO, and Amico Shipyard. The programme has also initiated some of the first academic studies focused on Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) and yacht ownership behaviour, while steadily building a presence at industry events including The Superyacht Forum and the Monaco Yacht Show.

The figures highlight a significant cultural shift: IUM alumni working in the yachting sector now represent more than 40 nationalities, and nearly 70% of graduates employed in the industry are women - a striking contrast with the maritime sector as a whole, where women account for only around 19% of the workforce. Approximately 70% of alumni work in Monaco, further strengthening the Principality’s position as a strategic hub for global yachting.

Viola Hillmer, Head of Alumni Relations, added: "We are delighted to launch this first alumni chapter dedicated to the yachting industry. Bringing together more than 240 alumni worldwide, with Monaco as its central hub, this initiative aims to create a strong and supportive ecosystem where alumni can remain connected with one another, with the University, and with our students."

Annalisa Tarquini, Director of the MSc Luxury Management programme, reflected on the past decade: "These last ten years have been an incredible journey. As an academic researcher, I have learned a tremendous amount about this unique industry and its clients. At the same time, as Director of the MSc Luxury Management programme, I have had the privilege of developing the Yachting specialisation together with industry executives and the IUM team. Seeing the first generation of our yachting alumni succeed in their careers fills me with immense pride."

The second part of the event featured the panel discussion "Yachting in the Age of Geopolitical Risk", moderated by Adjunct Professor Filippo Ceragioli, with participation from Farouk Nefzi (CMO of Feadship) and Alex Von Stein (CEO of SOS Yachting).

"Geopolitics has become a structural variable influencing ownership structures, regulatory frameworks, capital flows and even the cultural legitimacy of luxury itself," observed Ceragioli.

"It was a genuine honour to take part in this prestigious gathering celebrating a decade of the International University of Monaco’s contribution to our industry," commented Alex Von Stein. "Navigating the yachting sector through today’s geopolitical and socio-economic turbulence requires exactly this kind of open dialogue."

The panellists explored how yachting can evolve from being merely a symbol of wealth into a more sophisticated expression of identity and experiential value.

"Its future value will be defined by meaning, trust, craftsmanship and the ability to create culturally relevant experiences in a changing world," said Farouk Nefzi.

The event concluded with the presentation of three alumni awards: Salvatore Zacco received recognition for entrepreneurial vision and leadership; Chiara Piardi for professional excellence and leadership potential; and Giulia Garello for academic excellence and intellectual contribution.