The long-awaited 2019 graduation ceremonies for Bachelor’s and Master’s students at HEC Lausanne, University of Lausanne took place on 7 and 14 December. A look back at some magic moments for the school and its new graduates.
Highly symbolic events
The two ceremonies are key events in the academic calendar at HEC Lausanne and carry a particular symbolism for graduates of the school, who wear the traditional academic dress of gown and mortar board for the occasion.
Following an opening event in which graduates engaged in a friendly sparring match around the auditorium about what HEC Lausanne meant to them, the floor was handed to Dean Jean-Philippe Bonardi. Several professors then took turns reading out the names of the graduates. Both ceremonies featured speeches by graduates reflecting, among other things, on the diversity offered by HEC Lausanne. “HEC Lausanne is all about the diverse opportunities available to us today. There are so many possibilities! From working in the financial markets, to developing projects, advising businesses or government bodies, selling your ideas or creating a start-up. In simple terms, living your passion,” commented Bachelor’s graduates Salomon Sadik and Clara Leonardi. The Master's graduates also played their creative role by applying the"Product life cycle" to the "Student life cycle", and by asking the audience to guess answers such as the meaning of the number 12, which was the size of the first cohort of students to graduate from HEC Lausanne in 1911.
Some of the highlights of each evening will remain engraved on the memory of everyone who took part: the festive atmosphere of the ceremony, the prize awards, the throwing up of the mortar boards, the conviviality of the drinks reception and the photo studios installed specially for the event.
A joint commitment on a grand scale
Some 413 Bachelor’s and 493 Master’s students were awarded their degrees during the two ceremonies. Organizing the two events involved around 100 people, including the program for the two days, communications and the technical and logistical aspects. Professors, members of administrative and technical staff and students were all involved and their support and commitment were greatly appreciated. The school thanks everyone for their involvement and congratulates all its graduates!