Summary of the ceremony
https://youtu.be/v9Gb2r99UPQ?si=9Xe9KfPaAhMhn_uQ
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Graduates from the Graduate School of the Faculty of Administration and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Institute of Education were honored.
In the presence of faculty members, friends, family, and university officials, deans and academic coordinators presented each professional with an award during the ceremony.
Always go the extra mile
First, certificates were awarded to the graduates ofthe Doctor of Education program, the Master of Education program, and the Master of Educational Administration program.
“The Doctorate in Education will be a challenge that demands a great deal of your time and dedication, though it will bring you enormous personal, professional, and academic fulfillment in your careers.” That is what Dr. Denise Vaillant—academic secretary of the Institute of Education—told Margarita Romero and her classmates on the first day of class.
“I can attest that this was indeed the case,” said Romero during the ceremony, speaking on behalf of the graduates of the Institute of Education. In particular, he thanked Vaillant for instilling in them the conviction that “it is always possible to take one more step toward achieving your goals.”
According to Romero, a democratic country that aspires to develop and innovate must rely on the opinions and insights of all its citizens, including professionals, technicians, and researchers: “In order to be freer, to help transform the country’s population, and thereby improve the life of society—without arrogance or conceit—I urge myself and I urge you to continue researching, inquiring, listening, and, above all, to keep thinking.” “Only together with others, and through respectful and constant dialogue, is it possible to help improve the lives of everyone,” he concluded.
The Value of Effort
Architect Alan Turovlin, who spoke on behalf of the graduates of the Specialization Diploma in Real Estate Business, described the program as “a worthwhile endeavor” and added that it had the merit of presenting a comprehensive view of the real estate business.
The architect spoke about concepts such as Big Data and Artificial Intelligence: “We are experiencing an incredible and rapid revolution, with enormous changes that we must pay close attention to. We are in the midst of a major challenge where everything is changing. It is, without a doubt, a privilege to be living through this moment.”
An optimistic view of technology
Carlos Fornaro spoke on behalf of the graduates of the Master’s in Engineering (Research Track) and the Specialization Diploma in Big Data Analytics.
“For the first time, our society has the ability to collect, store, and analyze enormous volumes of data that, when used properly, can lead to tremendous progress,” said the graduate, adding that a sense of responsibility regarding technological advancements, along with the pursuit of opportunities and the desire to excel, “motivates this generation as it completes a new stage in its formal education today.”
Seizing opportunities
Graduates from the Graduate School of the Faculty of Administration and Social Sciences were also honored: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Human Resource Management, Master of Financial Management, Master of Taxation and Accounting Standards (IFRS), Specialization Diploma in Taxation, Specialization Diploma in Accounting, Specialization Diploma in Marketing Management, Specialization Diploma in Human Resources, and Master of Accounting and Finance.
Mr. Mauricio Minarrieta—a graduate of ORT’s Master’s in Financial Management program, who earned a dual degree with the Master of Science in Finance from Florida International University—said that at age 23, he wasn’t pursuing his true passion and was apprehensive about the master’s program: “What if it’s not what I expect? What if I have very little work experience and am too young to do this? What if I fail?”
In an interview to assess whether he had sufficient professional experience to be accepted into the graduate program, he was told that he could use the master’s degree as a tool to achieve his goals: “If it doesn’t take you directly where you want to be, it will certainly bring you closer.” Minarrieta left that interview determined: “I started the master’s program a couple of months later, and today I’m here with all of you, seeing this chapter come to a close.”
Finally, Minarrieta encouraged the audience to seize opportunities: “In my case, one opportunity arose three years ago during a job interview; another came up when the chance to complete my master’s degree abroad presented itself; and they continue to arise every day. Thanks to seizing those opportunities, I am now working in a challenging environment. Today, a door is opening for us to new and endless opportunities.”
The commitment to keep working
For his part, Manuel Domenech described the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as “a transformative experience that involves learning to listen to different opinions and understanding that all perspectives have their value.” He wondered how many companies would have achieved success if they had listened to other opinions and not just the ones they wanted to hear.
The graduate highlighted the value of participating in international experiences: visiting business schools, interacting with students from other parts of the world, and exploring Silicon Valley. According to Domenech, these academic trips “served as inspiration to make changes in our professional careers, in our companies, and in our country, and to explore new business ideas.”
Finally, Domenech remarked: “We are committed to continuing to work with the honesty, loyalty, and humility that we learned to practice during this MBA program. The country’s development depends largely on the development of its companies, and this will undoubtedly depend on the decisions made by many of us.”
“Progress stems from doubt, not certainty”
“The future of our country will depend on what we are capable of doing and on our society’s ability to take advantage of new opportunities,” said Julio Fernández, Ph.D., academic vice president of Universidad ORT Uruguay.
“More and more activities will be carried out by computer platforms. Many jobs will be affected; perhaps some professions will have to be redefined or will disappear. The human brain will increasingly become the decisive means of production,” he added.
Finally, he advised the graduates: “Investigate problems thoroughly and be rigorous; keep an open mind; be willing to take risks; act with candor and humility; work hard and with dedication; learn to bounce back from mistakes and failures; and try to listen more than you speak. Progress comes from doubt, not certainty. Pay attention to your feelings. Listen to those who have fewer opportunities or less education than you. There is much more to be learned than there is to be taught.”
Speech by Julio Fernández, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
https://youtu.be/lnnzsTpNxoI?si=qZZ6bPTN_Y5e14eV
Speech by Alan Turovlin, graduate of the Diploma in Real Estate Development program
https://youtu.be/yOP0cvbzbK8?si=wv6e1XYCD6a9Ml51
Speech by Manuel Domenech, graduate of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program
https://youtu.be/5uv0fnuk3Wg?si=WDApWENUsn-KUxhe
Speech by Mauricio Minarrieta, graduate of the Master’s Program in Financial Management
https://youtu.be/UmiGR21Prcw?si=TF7seyvZ-bwgTtKu
Speech by Nicolás Fornaro, graduate of the Master’s Program in Engineering (Research Track)
https://youtu.be/yVDA_QTwSeU?si=DzZGEFpLKPedRuPN
Speech by Margarita Romero, PhD graduate in Education
https://youtu.be/yVDA_QTwSeU?si=eF9dvGf2d0HjYckA