As is now tradition, another graduation ceremony for the undergraduate programs at Universidad ORT Uruguay was held at the Solís Theater. University officials, professors, family members, and friends were in attendance to celebrate the graduates as they brought their academic careers to a close. The ceremony, which took place on Thursday, November 14, 2013, was attended by 150 graduates from all of the institution’s schools.
“A university is, above all, a learning organization. Without you, ORT would not be the same,” said Rector Dr. Jorge Grünberg as he addressed those in attendance. “Since our founding, the world has changed greatly, but our spirit and our mission remain unchanged: to expand educational opportunities for Uruguayans,” he continued.
The Rector some of the developments the university has seen this year. For example, the 25th anniversary of the School of Business and Social Sciences. “It was founded by our Director General at a time when business administration did not exist as an academic discipline in Uruguay. Today, under the expert leadership of Gaston Labadie, it is one of the most renowned business schools in the region,” he said.
In his speech, Grünberg also mentioned the launch of Plan Ceibal’s first massive open online course in programming for high school students, the inauguration of the first university 3D printing lab, and the inclusion of academic journals from the Schools of Communication and Architecture and the Institute of Education in the Latindex Catalog. The Rector announced the launch of Uruguay’s first degree program in Biotechnology Engineering.
The Rector then Rector the recent graduates with a warm message: “You are the new generation of Uruguayans. Show and prove what you are capable of. At your age, it’s time to make mistakes and take on big projects. It’s time to bring Uruguay’s underground world to the surface.”
“Graduation is a milestone in life. A point of arrival and, at the same time, a point of departure,” he continued. “Be guardians of your brothers and sisters. Remember that we live in a society and that there can be no sustainable progress when people are excluded. Be demanding of yourselves, because that is a prerequisite for holding others to high standards. Never stop learning. Always seek your identity. Always engage in dialogue in search of the truth, not to impose your views. Listen with respect. Do not accept intellectual patronage. We must live in society, not in a herd. Do not accept totalitarian ideas that demand obedience rather than conviction. Demand arguments; evaluate results. Improvisation should not be confused with effectiveness.”
The Rector the country’s current situation and stated that “we have a unique opportunity to become a developed nation.” “Promoting equal opportunity means improving equal access to educational opportunities. We cannot be a modern country when the poorest among us do not finish high school and rarely go on to college,” he said.
“Our prosperity requires cultural changes. One of the most important is to rekindle our aspirations (…) We are at a turning point for our country, and it is the most educated among us who can make a difference. Uruguay needs you,” he concluded.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdxxwrsaePc
Graduates
Graduates also spoke at their graduation ceremony. Paula Mosera, a graduate of the Faculty of Administration and Social Sciences, spoke on behalf of the graduates from that faculty.
“Starting today, we are young professionals with a million possibilities, opportunities, and challenges waiting for us just beyond that door. But most importantly, we have the tools to achieve them. We have all the tools we need to set goals, dreams, and aspirations—and, above all, to achieve them. And those tools are right here in our little heads,” said Mosera, adding: “We were trained to give our best. To work hard. To keep trying day after day. Let’s think, dream, and dare.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e0vTqdCDM0
Speaking on behalf of the School of Architecture was Architect Ignacio Bonifacino. The graduate discussed the questions he faced during his studies, one of which concerned what it means to be an architect. According to Bonifacino, it’s in his DNA. In addition to the 14 renovations his family made to their home, he recalled how, at age five, he was already drawing buildings and later playing at creating them on his computer. Architecture is “telling a story without speaking. Conveying a range of emotions through visuals alone,” he said.
Mayte de León, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, spoke on behalf of the graduates of the School of Communication and Design. De León mentioned how demanding a journalist’s work can be, especially when working on days when others are celebrating. “Through our daily work, we reach a very diverse audience, and they all deserve accuracy,” she said. “Accuracy is an intrinsic part of this job.”
Verónica Tortorella, an engineer, spoke on behalf of the graduates of the School of Engineering. She noted, for example, that many people don’t know what it means to be a systems engineer. “The answer is very simple: we create everything you can imagine,” she said, adding, “What’s important? That at the end of the day, you’re grateful for having gone through all of that, because that’s what allowed us to be where we are now.”
Next, graduates who stood out for their adherence to institutional principles, academic performance, and high grades received the Academic Achievement Award, after which all graduates were invited onto the stage for the group photo of this graduation ceremony.