From February 3rd to February 13th, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Johannesburg, South Africa, was buzzing with international students. That was not a coincidence: AWDC and the University of Antwerp were organizing the Antwerp Summer University ‘From Mine to Finger’ in partnership with GIBS. This program is the perfect opportunity to explore the world of diamonds, offering unique insights and perspectives. The 2025 edition marks the seventh year of ‘From Mine to Finger’, and the second one hosted in South Africa.
Eighteen ambitious students from ten different countries got to follow thirteen insightful classes all about the captivating international diamond industry. These classes were taught by eleven lecturers, all experts in their (diamond) field. The program was not limited to classrooms; they also got to experience ‘the real deal’. They visited the Cullinan diamond mine, attended a rough diamond tender at Petra Diamonds, and got a look inside the manufacturing plant of Pluczenik Diamonds.
To break up all the diamond-related content, the students also visited the Soweto Township in Johannesburg. At the end of the two-week program, the students had to present a group project to a distinguished jury that put to the test all of the knowledge acquired during the program. All eighteen of them were rewarded with their well-earned diplomas.
