A sea of upheld iPhones filled the Palace of the Republic in May as students committed their last act in this part of their academic career: Graduate.
There were hugs, balloons and a few tears (by students and parents) during the graduation of the Class of 2024. Three hundred and fifty eight students became graduates, marking the successful completion of their academic journeys including undergrad, graduate, and professional programs.
“We did it,” some shouted.
“Finally,” others said.
“I’m free.”
Entering adult life
The two-hour ceremony officially started with a stream of students marching through the crowded auditorium accompanied by Gaudeamus igitur (So Let Us Rejoice), the academic commercium song. As the music started, the crowd of parents and friends hushed to watch the procession. Parents waved, few of them even cried, friends cheered and a few younger siblings looked up from their video games and asked, “when will this end?”
The Minister of Higher Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek greeted students with a video message.
Graduates must be ready for the difficulties and the obstacles they will face building their careers, he said. The world will become faster, the flow of information is more intense, so graduates will have to be prepared for all of the challenges.
“Knowledge is always incomplete,” he said. “There is always not enough data and time.”
As Nurbek spoke, many parents broke out in whispers looking for someone to translate the minister’s English message into Russian or Kazakh.
“Listen, adult life is like a storm,” Nurbek said of the chaos people can create by questioning and confusing others. “Sometimes, you just have to pause and listen to yourself.”
The 31st Class
Talant Kaliyeva, KIMEP alumna of the first graduating class of KIMEP in 1994 addressed students during the ceremony wishing them success in their future careers.
“One of the main qualities of Kazakhs is to encourage children to pursue education,” she said. “This is probably one of the reasons why our state attaches great importance to education here.”
“On behalf of the first 100 graduates of KIMEP, who walked through these doors, back then in the spring of 1992 and now are among us, let me express our deepest gratitude to the organizers of this ceremony,” Kaliyeva said.
Before ending her comments, Kaliyeva invited alumni to come meet with new graduates and offer their mentorship and help them find their way in the professional world.
“To the 31st class of KIMEP, those who are about to fly out of the warm nest today and reach the very heights of all possible kinds, I wish every success and happiness in your lives.” she said.
Conferred
Graduating students Litosh Daniil, Alikhan Nurgazinov and Khadisha Nasipbay, who were winners of a KIMEP speech writing contest, also spoke during the ceremony.
“One last look, last assignment, last grade, last coffee from CoffeeTop, last event and last walk around campus, but the rush of new unknown beginnings and new days,” said Nurgazinov. “Let’s step into the future with hope and confidence. Congratulations to all of us. We’ll always be proud to be KIMEPians.”
After all the speeches and awards, students waited for their names to be called before taking their last steps as students across the long stage.
Then Dr. Chan Young Bang, KIMEP’s president, was asked to confer the degrees bestowed upon the students, giving them the privileges that come with the degree.
He conferred.
Before the first purple and gold balloon falling from the vaulted ceilings hit the floor, students threw their caps into the air with one hand and pushed their other toward the sky holding a phone, capturing the cinematic moment.
Instagram would not be denied.
