Collage from LUISS University in Rome featuring former NHH student Sigurd Christensen and the presentation of the Francesco Mansutti Prize. — During a ceremony at LUISS University in Rome, Sigurd Christensen received the Francesco Mansutti Prize. The award, established in memory of former LUISS student Francesco Mansutti, was presented by his father, Franco Mansutti.

29 October 2026 10:30

NHH student makes history with Italian master’s thesis award

Sigurd Christensen, who completed a double degree at NHH and LUISS in Rome, has become the first international student to win LUISS’s award for best master’s thesis.

Awarded annually by Luiss University in Rome.
Established in memory of Francesco Mansutti, a Luiss alumnus.
Recognizes outstanding theses related to the agricultural and agri-food sectors.
Open to candidates from different academic disciplines.

Former NHH and Luiss University double degree student Sigurd Christensen has been awarded the prize for the best master's thesis in agricultural and food economics, along with a €3,000 cash prize. With the award, Christensen becomes the first international student ever to have his name added to the list of recipients.

‘I was very happy and proud. It felt like real recognition of all the work I had put into the thesis. There are so many talented students writing excellent theses, so coming out on top was very special,’ says Christensen who received the award earlier this month.

Finding Value in What Others Throw Away

The award was established in memory of a former Luiss student and recognizes research that offers innovative solutions to challenges facing the agricultural and food sectors.

Christensen's master's thesis examined how ash from burned wood can be recycled and used as a pH-adjusting fertilizer in agriculture instead of being treated as waste.

The photo features former NHH student Sigurd Christensen, who recently received the Francesco Mansutti Prize at LUISS University in Rome. — Sigurd Christensen, originally from Bærum, spent the final year of his Double Degree at LUISS University in Rome and graduated in spring 2026.

‘Today, limestone is extracted specifically for this purpose. At the same time, large amounts of wood ash are produced and often end up in landfills. I wanted to investigate whether that ash could be used instead,’ he explains.

The project has also attracted attention beyond academia. According to Christensen, the thesis has landed on the desk of Italy's Minister of Agriculture as part of efforts to explore more circular solutions for the sector.

Stiff Competition

The jury was particularly impressed by the thesis’ methodological rigor and the originality of the topic.

‘They highlighted that the issue had received very little attention previously and that the analysis demonstrated significant economic potential. For the company we used as a case study, the potential gain could be around NOK 1.4 million per year.’

NHH's Double Degree Programme

NHH has double degree agreements with nine universities across the globe, giving students the opportunity to earn degrees from both NHH and a partner institution.

Learn more about the Double Degree Programme.
Application deadline: November 1

Around 40 students applied for the award, making the competition fierce. Now working as a consultant at IT company Columbus, Christensen describes winning as a surreal experience.

The award ceremony took place on the Luiss campus in Rome, attended by family members, friends and previous recipients.

‘It was nerve-racking when I suddenly had to get up on stage and explain my thesis to the audience. But it turned into an experience I'll remember for a long time,’ he says.