On Saturday, August 10th, we marked a historic moment with the celebration of our first Virtual Graduation for students across Asia. With a global audience tuning in from various parts of the world, the event was filled with emotions, highlighting the achievements of our students.
A total of 81 graduates reached this milestone in their lives, celebrating from their homes, surrounded by their loved ones. These graduates, who completed their Master’s programs, represent our commitment to education that transcends borders, demonstrating that at Utel we deliver world-class education with programs in English, in addition to our Spanish-language educational offerings.
Our Chancellor, David Stofenmacher, inaugurated the ceremony by emphasizing the importance of the occasion: “This graduation marks a significant milestone in our lives and in the history of our university, filling us with great pride and emotion. A few years ago, we embarked on this journey with the firm belief that education knows no borders, that students from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and many other countries could study together and learn from each other.” He also reminded the graduates that their degrees are not just certificates but keys to their future.
We were honored to have esteemed guests, such as Prof. Dr. Anoop Swarup, General Secretary of the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), who remarked: : “Your knowledge and skills would navigate you through the complexities of the professional world. Studies have shown that education significantly boosts employability and also the earning potential. It makes our world a better place for all and it brings you a successful and a fulfilling career.”
Mr. Joshua Nester, Managing Director of SEEK Investments, also shared an emotional message: “Somehow though, each and every one of you dug deep and ‘found your way’ to be here today. There is so much wrapped up in these three simple words, years of determination, resilience, skill, self-belief and sacrifice. That is why these words, ‘find your way’, mean so much to me and ought to mean so much to you too. It’s precisely these attributes that will set you up for success in whatever you choose to do next. That choice is entirely yours. And whatever you may choose to do, may you continue to find your way. Thank you.”
We were also honored to have Inge Zwick, Executive Director of Emapta; Almhi Charlene Calma, Head of Project Management at Edukasyon; and Dann Angelo De Guzman, Founder and CEO of CloudSwyft, who reinforced our commitment to forming alliances that enhance the academic and professional development of our student community.
One of the most touching moments was the speech by Fel Angelie Colon, generation representative, who shared: “The knowledge and experiences that I have learned here have empowered me to face challenges with innovation and confidence.” She also encouraged others to join the Utel family and take advantage of the unparalleled experience we offer.
Among the testimonies, Dimas Bayu Priantama, a graduate of the Master in Business Administration (MBA), highlighted how the flexibility and constant support at Utel helped him complete his studies: “Studying at Utel University is different from a regular university. When I was busy with my business or my full time job, Utel University was flexible. I am so thankful for my Student Success Advisor that reminds me about my assignments every week.” Sekouba Toure, a graduate of the Master in Digital Marketing and e-Commerce, expressed his gratitude for the global connections and support he received: “When you study at Utel, you will never be alone.”
This year, in addition to this virtual ceremony for our students from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Vietnam, we have celebrated with our graduates in Monterrey, Guadalajara, Colombia, and Peru, and will soon do so in Mexico City, Ecuador, and more locations, spreading our spirit of community to every place where our students have dedicated their efforts to achieving their goals.
The ceremony concluded with a burst of virtual applause, emojis, and celebratory messages, culminating in the traditional tossing of caps. Congratulations to all the unstoppable graduates for this achievement! We are immensely proud to see you come so far, and we wish you the best of success on the exciting journey ahead.
