Last week, the annual Kick-Off and Graduation event of the EIT Urban Mobility Master School brought together this year’s graduating students with the new 2026 cohort. Over 70 graduates received their EIT Label certificate whilst more than 50 new students kicked-off their Master School experience. Hosted by the Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon, the event offered students opportunities to connect with their peers whilst celebrating together the beginning of the programmes for some students, and the successful closing of them for others.
A 3-day programme including a business design bootcamp, city tours, shared dinners and the final graduation ceremony offered plenty of opportunities for the new and graduating students to connect with peers, staff from partner universities and the EIT Urban Mobility representatives in Lisbon.
Master School Kick-Off for first-year students
For students from the new 2026 cohort, EIT Urban Mobility and its partner UnternehmerTUM had prepared a 3-day Business Design Bootcamp: an intense, team-based programme where students learn to tackle real-world challenges provided by urban stakeholders like NGO’s and institutions. Using design thinking methodologies and ideation and prototyping practices, the student teams explored user needs and developed innovative solutions, which they delivered in a final pitch event to a jury of experts.
The 2026 cohort welcomes over 50 new students across three programmes: Sustainable Urban Mobility Transitions, Smart Mobility Data Science and Analytics, and Business Engineering in Urban Mobility. This year’s cohort comes from 23 different countries, with the United States and Romania most strongly represented.
Peer-learning and exchanges between cohorts
One major highlight of the annual event is that it combines the Kick-Off for new students with the graduation of the finishing cohort. Therefore, first year’s learners had the opportunity to connect with the experienced students to ask questions, share expectations and learn from those that have already successfully completed one of the EIT Urban Mobility Master School programmes.
Whilst the new cohort dove into the Business Design Bootcamp, the graduating students had the chance to join the activities held by EIT Urban Mobility such as a Focus Group with their peers, or a city and boat tour to explore Lisbon before the official graduation ceremony on Saturday.
The graduation ceremony
On Saturday, 24 October 2026, the graduating students, their families and friends as well as faculty members and representatives of the Master School office gathered for the final graduation ceremony.
More than 70 graduates received their EIT Label certificates, most from the Sustainable Urban Mobility Transitions programme and with a smaller cohort of the Smart Mobility Data Science and Analytics programme. They represent 32 nationalities, with China, Germany, and the Netherlands most represented.
In his opening speech, EIT Urban Mobility CEO Marc Rozendal congratulated the graduating students and highlighted the importance of education and university collaboration in skilling and educating the next generation of urban mobility leaders. The EIT Urban Mobility Master School supported its students to become future change-makers with the knowledge and skills in mobility and entrepreneurship needed to contribute to more sustainable mobility and more liveable urban environments for all.
New talent forms part of the EIT Community
“Our mission is to accelerate change towards a sustainable mobility model for liveable urban spaces. In simple words: cities where the air is cleaner, the streets are safer, and getting around is easier and fairer for everyone. We do that with a community of more than 250 partners, including cities, companies, startups, research centres and universities. The work we do with universities, with collaborations such as the Master School, is key to us. (…) Change happens when people know how to make it happen. That is why this programme sits at the heart of our mission.” (Marc Rozendal, CEO EIT Urban Mobility)
On stage, Traian Urban, EIT Urban Mobility Academy Director, and Giovanni Circella, Head of the Master School, presented the EIT Label certificates – recognising excellence in innovation, entrepreneurship, and academic performance across our double-degree programmes. After receiving their diplomas, students, families, faculty and EIT Urban Mobility staff concluded the evening with a festive gala dinner to celebrate the freshly graduated urban mobility change-makers.
EIT Urban Mobility Master School
Our EIT Urban Mobility Master School offers 3 double-degree Master-level programmes and is delivered in partnership with European leading universities. Our current 3 programmes are:
- Sustainable Urban Mobility Transitions
- Smart Mobility Data Science and Analytics and
- Business Engineering in Urban Mobility
Stay tuned for the new round of admissions opening in November 2026!
For more details on the event, read the EIT Urban Mobility Master School’s LinkedIn post.
More details on the EIT Urban Mobility Master School can be found on the website.
