Graduation
After extending my Masters (twice), I finally graduated last Saturday.
When I stepped on stage to take my scroll an almost thunderous applause broke out... very touching indeed & it took me a little by surprise.. mostly thanks to my wonderful colleagues and to my graduating degree students! Ballpark figure, I would have taught at least half of the students who received their scrolls... hence the reason behind the show of support.
This particular graduation was interesting because:
- 2 students took a selfie (wefie?) with the DVC;
- one student exaggerated his smile for the camera & provided some comic relief/ reprieve for an otherwise monotonous ceremony;
- one student completely covered his face with the mortarboard, refusing to be photographed (he has his rights under PDPA 2010, I would believe...)
- of my participation was as a graduant/graduate & not as a member of staff (more details to follow...)
Being in the audience was rather interesting, as what happens on stage is projected on the big screen. We saw sleepy (and sleeping) people on stage, either fighting to stay awake or completely surrendering to the call. Masters students were the last to receive our scrolls and for certain high-strung individuals this wait is EXCRUCIATING, to say the least. While waiting for our turn, we actually had a chance to get to know each other particularly the persons sitting on our right & left. I'm not from their batch, as I deferred my intake, so I met at least 2 new friends that day (one sitting on my left- Kent & another one sitting on my right-Rafik).
All in all, it was an interesting experience. Mum and No. 3 (my daughter) joined me. Daughter got up to snap my photo on the big screen but was taken aback by the applause & forgot to take the photo. She hadn't expected mum (me) to be so popular (her words, not mine). After the event we had some finger food/ high tea & mum was impressed... as her prior experiences were related to public universities' convocations which are more large scale & did not enable such generous servings of food.
Graduations, to me, are always beginnings although the ceremony marks the culmination of one's academic pursuit. It is an achievement to be proud of, but most importantly it is also an opportunity to self-assess: What benefit do I bring to the world with this academic achievement? Have I become a better person because of it? What happens next (What are my plans)?
No definite answers yet to the last question, but I will keep searching.
When I stepped on stage to take my scroll an almost thunderous applause broke out... very touching indeed & it took me a little by surprise.. mostly thanks to my wonderful colleagues and to my graduating degree students! Ballpark figure, I would have taught at least half of the students who received their scrolls... hence the reason behind the show of support.
This particular graduation was interesting because:
- 2 students took a selfie (wefie?) with the DVC;
- one student exaggerated his smile for the camera & provided some comic relief/ reprieve for an otherwise monotonous ceremony;
- one student completely covered his face with the mortarboard, refusing to be photographed (he has his rights under PDPA 2010, I would believe...)
- of my participation was as a graduant/graduate & not as a member of staff (more details to follow...)
Being in the audience was rather interesting, as what happens on stage is projected on the big screen. We saw sleepy (and sleeping) people on stage, either fighting to stay awake or completely surrendering to the call. Masters students were the last to receive our scrolls and for certain high-strung individuals this wait is EXCRUCIATING, to say the least. While waiting for our turn, we actually had a chance to get to know each other particularly the persons sitting on our right & left. I'm not from their batch, as I deferred my intake, so I met at least 2 new friends that day (one sitting on my left- Kent & another one sitting on my right-Rafik).
All in all, it was an interesting experience. Mum and No. 3 (my daughter) joined me. Daughter got up to snap my photo on the big screen but was taken aback by the applause & forgot to take the photo. She hadn't expected mum (me) to be so popular (her words, not mine). After the event we had some finger food/ high tea & mum was impressed... as her prior experiences were related to public universities' convocations which are more large scale & did not enable such generous servings of food.
Graduations, to me, are always beginnings although the ceremony marks the culmination of one's academic pursuit. It is an achievement to be proud of, but most importantly it is also an opportunity to self-assess: What benefit do I bring to the world with this academic achievement? Have I become a better person because of it? What happens next (What are my plans)?
No definite answers yet to the last question, but I will keep searching.
posted by elya at 9:54 pm
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