DWU thanks outgoing students in a special ceremony
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Apostolic Nuncio: Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop, Most Reverend, Francisco Padilla, blessing the crowd as he takes his leave from conducting the Thanksgiving Eucharist at the SVD Memorial Auditorium of Divine Word University last Friday, 9th October, 2009. |
Parents: Parents and students piling out of the SVD Memorial Auditorium after the thanksgiving ceremony. |
Students listen: Outgoing DWU students pay attention to the speeches of advice and encouragement from the various dignitaries at the SVD Memorial Auditorium. |
Divine Word University hosted a special “thanksgiving” ceremony for its final year degree students last Friday, 9th October, 2009 before they sat for their final exams starting on Monday 12th October, 2009.
The thank you ceremony is the first of its kind for the university prior to a formal graduation which takes place in March the following year.
The university has felt that graduation ceremonies are very public occasions where students do not receive personal appreciation and acknowledgement hence the special ceremony.
Parents and guardians were invited to the occasion.
Dignitaries for the inaugural event included, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Michael Ogio, Governor of Madang, Sir Arnold Amet, Apostolic Nuncio, Most Archbishop Most Reverend Francisco Padilla, and host president of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba.
National Member of Parliament for Kundiawa-Gembogl electorate, Joe Mek Teine, also attended the ceremony as a parent.
The leaders commended DWU for staging special thanks giving ceremony, saying it was a good initiative.
The ceremony began with the Eucharist celebration hosted by Archbishop Padilla at the SVD Memorial Auditorium at 8.30 am where he dedicated the students to God and service for the country in their chosen fields.
Fr Czuba led the speeches with a welcome address, followed by Sir Arnold, Mr Ogio and the keynote address by Archbishop Padilla.
The Apostolic Nuncio then blessed the sic currite ut comprehendatis (run to win) crosses before they were commissioned and presented to all final year students as parting gifts by the University. Sic currite ut comprehendatis is the motto of the DWU.
Director of the Melanesian Institute, Reverend Dr William Longar closed the speeches with his words of encouragement and advice to the students on behalf of parents. The speeches were followed by special lunch and then an evening dinner and entertainment presented by students.
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