Jean-Philippe Muller General Director and Dean of IUM Monaco speaks during World Boating Day

IUM

Monaco has long represented the global yachting a crossroads where wealth, design, technology, finance and diplomacy naturally intersect. And the International University of Monaco (IUM) is right in the middle of that intersection.

In fact, what the IUM started in 2016 as an academic yachting track has evolved into a fully structured specialization offering over 200 hours of dedicated courses and experiential projects with major industry players including Azimut Benetti, YATCO and Amico Shipyard. The IUM program also pioneered the first academic studies focused on Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals and yacht ownership behavior, and built a growing presence at events such as The Superyacht Forum and the Monaco Yacht Show.

So I’m not surprised by the fact that the IUM celebrated World Boating Day by bringing industry leaders together to talk about a topic that all of the yachting industry is affected by—geopolitics.

"It is a pleasure and a great source of pride to bring together our alumni working in yachting — the culmination of this unique academic journey, supported by the Monaco Business Community. Every year, we welcome students from around the world for this Business Management in Yachting Program, reflecting the aura of the Principality as the yachting capital of the world,"" said Dr. Jean-Philippe Muller, Directeur General and Dean.

The event was conceived as part of the Principality’s participation in World Boating Day, the international initiative designed to bring greater public attention to the cultural, economic and social relevance of the maritime and yachting industries. Within this framework, the IUM gathering represented one of Monaco’s official moments dedicated not only to celebration, but also to opening a broader reflection on some of the most sensitive and strategic topics currently shaping the future of the sector.

And nothing could be more timely than the events featured in the panel discussion titled, "Yachting in the Age of Geopolitical Risk," moderated by Adjunct Professor Filippo Ceragioli, with Farouk Nefzi (CMO, Feadship) and Alex Von Stein (CEO, SOS Yachting). "Geopolitics has become a structural variable influencing ownership structures, regulatory frameworks, capital flows and even the cultural legitimacy of luxury itself," Ceragioli noted. The panelists explored how yachting may evolve from a pure 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 experiences that feel culturally relevant in a changing world," said Farouk Nefzi.

"Viola Hillmer, Head of Alumni Relations, added: ""We are delighted to launch this first alumni industry chapter dedicated to yachting. Bringing together over 240 alumni worldwide, with Monaco as our central hub, this initiative aims to foster a strong and supportive ecosystem where alumni remain connected — to each other, to the University and to our students”

Annalisa Tarquini, Director of the MSc Luxury Management Program, summed up the decade: “These past 10 years have been an incredible journey. As an academic researcher, I have learned so much about this unique industry and its clients. At the same time, as Director of the MSc Luxury Management Program, I have had the privilege of developing the Yachting Specialization together with business executives and the IUM team. Seeing the first generation of our yachting alumni thriving in their careers fills me with immense pride.”

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