Umeå University holds inaugural master’s degree graduation ceremony
NEWS
On Wednesday 27 May, Vice-Chancellor Lena Gustafsson congratulated nearly 100 master’s degree students at the inaugural Graduation Ceremony 2015. The afternoon ceremony was warmly received by students from over 20 international degree programmes and 160 guests in the Aula Nordica concert hall.
This is the first graduation ceremony held for master’s graduates in Umeå University’s 50 year history, which will likely become an annual tradition on campus.
The ceremony began with some musical entertainment and was followed by a congratulatory speech from Vice-Chancellor Lena Gustafsson who cited the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and praised the graduates for their academic achievements.
You will utilize and implement your knowledge and your skills in all your future endeavours. Endeavours that enrich and benefit you, and your family or perhaps lead to something bigger.
“You have excelled here in your studies and you will continue to build on that,” said Lena Gustafsson. "And you will utilize and implement your knowledge and your skills in all your future endeavours. Endeavours that enrich and benefit you, and your family or perhaps lead to something bigger. All of which eventually impacts us all. An endless echo resulting from a path less travelled.”
Jonas Jonsson, City Manager of Umeå Municipality, also congratulated the degree recipients and thanked them for choosing Umeå as their study destination. He emphasised how Umeå is multicultural city and is a magnet for talented people from all over the world.
Alumnus Carlos Martin Jara, Msc Business Development and Internationalisation (Class of 2012).
Carlos Martin Jara, an entrepreneur from Ecuador and class of 2012 graduate of the Business Development and Internationalisation programme, was invited back to Umeå and gave a heartfelt speech in which he encouraged students to “become an agent of change and follow a purpose higher than yourself.”
“You have received a world-class education, carry it with you as a responsibility to others, to society, to the future we will leave behind,” he continued.
The ceremony was appreciated by David Deboben from Germany, who earned a Master of Finance at Umeå School of Business and Economics. “I would highly recommend it for future international students,” he said.
Le Vu Thuy Huong from Vietnam, a graduate of the one-year Master’s in Public Health programme, lauded the professionalism of the formal ceremony. When reflecting back on her studies, she highlighted that the learning style is much more collaborative than in her come country. “Here, students are much more active in the classroom and learn from each other by asking questions,” she said.
The graduation ceremony concluded with a mingle reception and a photography session. Graduates were also encouraged to join the Umeå University Alumni network to stay connected and be informed about future news and events.
