After a year of cancelled ceremonies in 2020, and another year of virtual and stripped-down physical ones in 2021, the NUS Class of 2022 got to graduate in full-scale, festive style. Ceremonies returned to their former pre-pandemic glory, complete with the traditional balloon drop finale. Graduands filled the hall, accompanied by their proud families, significant others and friends cheering them on from the stalls and external viewing galleries. This year’s ceremonies were the largest physical events held in the University for more than two years. Although great care was taken to ensure that the relevant safe management guidelines were adhered to, this was still a milestone for both the University and its graduates, signifying a major step towards resilience.
Congratulations to Our Class of 2022
The five business school class valedictorians unanimously lamented the challenges and missed opportunities wrought by the pandemic, but also celebrated the tenacity, resilience and adaptability shown amongst their peers. Guest speakers also chimed in with rousing speeches charged with wisdom, encouraging graduands to keep dreaming big, ask good questions, stay humble and teachable, but also be kind to themselves and those around them.
Business School mascot Tycoon also made a special appearance in a brand-new customised gown to celebrate with the graduates, adding cheer to the occasion, and doubling up as a photography prop!
The Commencement Ceremony marks both an ending and a beginning, as we leave the classrooms behind and set to apply what we learned in the real world. However, what made this ceremony special is that we were not alone, but sharing the moment with a new group of connections, teammates, and even friends, watching those balloons fall and getting ready to take the next step together. We might have left NUS MBA with more questions than answers, but there is a lifetime worth of opportunities to learn even more and, if we are lucky enough, to find some of the answers we were after.