12 December 2008

2008 Graduation Ceremony

IPC Celebrates its 18th Graduation

By Leanne Roberts.

Friday, 12 December saw 135 graduates celebrate their achievements at IPC's 18th graduation ceremony. Parents, friends and guests travelled from all over the globe to share in the celebrations.

The graduates were honoured to have dignitaries and representatives from various embassies and governments attend the graduation ceremony. Mr Hiroto Hirakoba, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, represented the Embassy of Japan, and Mr Andrey Kornyukhin, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission from the Embassy of the Russian Federation, attended. Representing the Indonesian embassy were Mr Subandorio the Minister Counsellor accompanied by his wife Mrs Subandorio and Mr Murdi Primbani, the Third Secretary for Education, with Mrs Amelia Susanti. The Thai Embassy was represented by Ms Chamaiphan Suwatthee, the First Secretary and Education Officer.

The Rt. Hon. Jim Bolger gave a very interesting speech that captured everyone's attention

The Rt. Hon. Jim Bolger was the Keynote Speaker, a former Prime Minister of New Zealand, current chair of NZ post and KiwiRail, and also the Chancellor of Waikato University. In his thought-provoking speech, he highlighted many of the challenges our graduates are now equipped to face in the global workforce. The IPC President, Mr Ken Cunningham, echoed this theme in his closing remarks, when he challenged the students to go out and make a difference in their world.

Other speakers included Mr Minoru Kasuya,Chief Executive Officer of IPC, Mr Jono Naylor, the Mayor of Palmerston North, Mr Takanori Narita, a parent of one of the graduates, and Liza Saenger, a graduating student. Many of the speakers, including Mr. Bolger commented on how beautiful the IPC campus is and how lucky IPC students were to have studied in such an environment.

After the ceremony, a Scottish Pipe band led graduates to the centre of the square. Many local people and businesses stopped to cheer the graduates as they processed down Broadway Avenue in central Palmerston North.

For most graduates the ceremony marked a new beginning and the end of life overseas for the moment. Many are returning to their home countries to begin work or continue further study. However, some graduates are inspired to explore new countries such as the United Kingdom and continue their pursuit of learning in an international setting.

For more photos, please visit: IPC 2008 Graduation Ceremony Photo Album.

Some of the audience at the Regent Theatre	Being capped by IPC President Professor Ken Cunningham is a proud moment for a new graduate
Graduates march to the Palmerston North Square for the photo session	BIS graduates assemble for a group photo at the Palmerston North Square

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