Gisma Celebrates Graduation Ceremony for Over 129 Postgraduates at Potsdam Campus
Gisma University of Applied Sciences hosted a remarkable graduation ceremony at its Potsdam Campus, celebrating the accomplishments of 129 postgraduate students from five postgraduate programmes, including Gisma’s AMBA-accredited Global MBA.
The event marked a significant milestone in the academic and professional journeys of these graduates, as they prepared to step into new roles in their respective fields. With 45 graduates in attendance, with the remaining students joining online from around the world for the live-streamed event along with their families, friends, and esteemed guests.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome and introduction from Prof. Dr. Maurits van Rooijen, Chairman of Gisma highlighting the university’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and innovation. He emphasised the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in today’s rapidly changing world, encouraging the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained during their time at Gisma to their future endeavors.
The welcome remarks were followed by an address from Professor Dr. Ramon O’Callaghan, President of Gisma, praising the hard work, resilience, dedication, and achievements were a testament to student’s perseverance and the support they received from their families, friends, and the Gisma community. He also highlighted the university’s role in shaping future leaders who are equipped to tackle global challenges with confidence and competence.
The highlight of the ceremony was the commencement speech by Patrick Duparcq, who has a distinguished career in technology, marketing, and innovation. Drawing from his experience as a professor at Northwestern University and his work in AI and data-driven marketing, Duparcq emphasised the importance of staying curious and adaptable. He encouraged graduates to leverage their unique skills to drive positive change and think boldly in their professional journeys.
One of the most memorable moments of the day was the valedictorian speech by Muhammad Abbas, who represented the graduating class. Reflecting on his journey, Abbas shared, “My experience at Gisma is just priceless because this is the first and best thing that happened to me when I came to Germany.” His heartfelt words captured the spirit of the day, emphasising the transformative experience that Gisma provides to its students, not just academically but also personally. His speech resonated with many in the audience, serving as a reminder of the power of education to change lives and open new doors.
The graduation ceremony also featured a special moment to recognise academic excellence with the presentation of the Thesis Prize to an outstanding graduate. This was followed by an inspiring speech from Vannia Naser Munoz, who joined Gisma in January 2023 as part of the MSc Leadership for Digital Transformation programme. Throughout the ceremony, a video was shown highlighting the journey of graduates, along with profound messages from professors and fellow students.
The event concluded with a round of applause and congratulations from faculty members, who expressed their pride in the graduates’ accomplishments. The graduates were then invited to join their families and friends for a celebratory reception, where they shared memories, took photos, and looked forward to the future.
