NEWS On the afternoon of Thursday 25 May, students from 43 international master’s programmes were honoured at the annual Graduation Ceremony held at Umeå University. This year, there was a record number of students in attendance with over 260 students from more than 50 countries.
The 260 master’s degree students, compared to last year’s 175, were accompanied by more than 350 guests in the nearly filled Aula Nordica auditorium on Campus Umeå. Vice-Chancellor Hans Adolfsson delivered the graduation address and handed out congratulatory scrolls to every master’s recipient. He also delivered the graduation address with words of encouragement and advice.
Your education does not end here. It is a continuous process that will accompany you throughout your professional and personal accomplishments.
Vice-Chancellor Hans Adolfsson delivered the address at the Graduation Ceremony 2023.
ImageMattias Pettersson"Today we celebrate not just the completion of your academic journey, but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to learning, growth and service," said Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University. "Your education does not end here. It is a continuous process that will accompany you throughout your professional and personal accomplishments."
This year's student speaker was Sairam Jasti, who has studied in the Master's Programme in Robotics and Control Engineering. He was nominated by his department to share his journey and experience. Sairam Jasti spoke about his childhood in India, what attracted him to Umeå University, and what his goals are for the future.
Studying with classmates from various nationalities provided an opportunity to gain a wide range of perspectives and worldviews.
Sairam Jasti, delivered the student speech at Graduation Ceremony 2023 to his fellow graduates and hundreds of guests.
ImageMattias Pettersson"Studying at Umea University has been a transformative experience, offering a unique perspective on education and culture. The focus on critical thinking and independent learning has helped me to develop as a student and as an individual. Studying with classmates from various nationalities provided an opportunity to gain a wide range of perspectives and worldviews."
The alumni speaker was Hanna Dermes Gibson, an Umeå native who earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Umeå University and an MBA in Global Business in the United States. She is currently the project coordinator at Gateway Umeå, a talent attraction and retention initiative at Umeå Municipality. Hanna spoke about her journey and emphasised the importance of celebrating diversity.
Hanna Dermes Gibson delivers the alumni speech at the Graduation Ceremony 2023 in Aula Nordica.
ImageMattias PetterssonWherever the road takes you, you now have an invaluable experience that you will carry with you always.
"Wherever the road takes you, you now have an invaluable experience that you will carry with you always," said Hanna Dermes Gibson. And you have a piece of diversity for your continued travel through this thing that we call life."
The ceremony also included musical performances by Umeå-based artists Mi von Ahn and Thomas Burström. At the conclusion of the ceremony, there was a mingle and refreshments where students and guests could also take photos."
"It was an absolute honour and privilege for us to organise this special event and to be part of we hope will be such a moment to remember for all our graduates. We are also very excited to welcome them as new members of the alumni community at Umeå University,” said David Meyers, Communications Officer at the International Office and Moderator of the Graduation Ceremony.
