That's very hard to say without knowing the NDA. What's covered? How long does it apply? Are there limits on damages should the guest speaker decide to sue you?<p>Can your university's student legal department review the NDA? In at least some universities, if a student works on corporate projects and has to sign an NDA then the NDA must be reviewed by the university first. See <a href="http://www.utdallas.edu/utdesign/students/ip-and-nda/" rel="nofollow">http://www.utdallas.edu/utdesign/students/ip-and-nda/</a> for an example of that requirement.<p>As a matter of principle, if you decline to sign the NDA, what will happen? Will the inability to attend the lecture affect your grade? Were you informed about the NDA requirement before signing up for the class?<p>Peronally, it stinks. You paid your money, with the expectation that you would get a full education. Consider that a student might work in the same field as the guest speaker, but in a competitive organization. Signing an NDA may be virtually impossible. While you may not be in that circumstance, your teachers can't make that assumption about everyone.
Unless you're an investor, nothing much to lose by doing so if the speaker is actually interesting and you really want to meet them. Alternatively, you could always sign it Mickey Mouse!
On general principle, no, and I'd name and shame both the B-school and the speaker (or, you know, be tactful. whatever). My gut reaction is it's complete BS.