The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
‘Go out and use talent for greater good’
Graduations: Sir Ian urges students to help the world in turbulent times
Hundreds of proud families congregated at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom yesterday to watch their loved ones’ hard work come to fruition as the students collected their degrees and officially graduate from Robert Gordon University.
The famous city ballroom was packed with the beaming faces of mums, dads and supporters, all eager to celebrate the achievements of the graduates.
RGU chancellor, Sir Ian Wood, addressed the throng and told the students to use their education to help the world in turbulent times at home and abroad.
He advised the newlyqualified graduands to “be constantly proactive” and told them complacency was “a bad destination”.
He went on to say that life on earth was “an incredible miracle” and said: “We are unbelievably privileged to have time here.
“To whom much is given, much is expected, and the way you live your lives, the values you adopt and the example you set will have an impact way beyond your borders.
“With privilege comes responsibility and I urge you to discharge it altruistically and caringly.”
Students from RGU’s schools of business, law, creative and cultural business, art and architecture filled the festively decorated venue to be awarded their degrees by Sir Ian.
The seafront venue allowed the celebrations to continue on the beach where families capitalised on calm December weather to take photographic mementos.
During the ceremony, RGU principal Ferdinand von Prondzynski pledged to maintain the university’s “global” outlook in the face of turbulent political times.
He told the audience: “You should all be very proud of what you have achieved, and it is something to be celebrated here today.
“We have come together to create a university that is world class, and is continuing to improve from generation to generation.
“It is important that universities such as ours produce graduates and an atmosphere of learning which helps the world in the very uncertain phase it is currently in.
“Knowledge is not held within national boundaries, and we will always cooperate internationally as an outward-facing, global university.
“I hope you will take with you the values and the ethics of this university, as well as the knowledge that we have passed on to you while you are here.
“We are extremely proud of all of you.”
“Example you set will have an impact way beyond your borders”