“The day has come to recognize your efforts and your great commitment over the past nine semesters,” said Prof. Dr. Nicolas Robin, Vice Rector for Education at the PHSG, at the beginning of the diploma ceremony last Thursday and congratulated the 73 graduates of the secondary level I course, including seven students from the St.Gallen Rhine Valley, on their graduation.
Robin encouraged the graduates in the Linsebühl Church in St.Gallen to perceive and understand the characteristics of society’s rapid development together with the students. «This is the essence of contemporary and innovative education. “It empowers future generations to question the world and provide answers in the most competent way while taking responsibility,” he said.
Three current challenges
Dagmar Rösler, central president of the umbrella organization for teachers in Switzerland, was invited as the keynote speaker. In her speech, she highlighted three current challenges for teachers: assessing students, the timing of selection, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
“Our goal must be to enable students to use AI responsibly and competently,” she said. This requires ethical guidelines, data protection regulations and critical handling of AI systems. It is therefore important that teachers constantly deal with this sensitive topic and develop a high awareness of responsibility.
Two master’s theses received awards
A total of 73 diplomas were awarded: 63 lower secondary level diplomas for the bachelor-master’s degree program, three for the master’s degree program and seven individual subject degrees. Two outstanding master’s theses were awarded 1,000 francs each. On the one hand there was the work of Maria Mannai on the topic “Androids – he, she, it? An analysis of the gender role of machine people in four works of contemporary literature”, and on the other hand that of Fabian Spring. The topic of his work is: “The importance of professional competence for mental health in the teaching profession”.
According to Prof. Dr. Larissa Schuler, head of the secondary school course, is characterized by impeccable academic quality. When making its decision, the jury also ensures that at least one of the other criteria is met in a special way: high originality, pronounced innovation, special consideration of sustainability or great professional relevance.
Learn to tolerate tension
The closing speech that evening was given by PHSG Rector Prof. Dr. Horst Biedermann. He wished the graduates a lot of joy “in the most beautiful and socially meaningful job,” but also the ability to recognize tensions as areas for development in order to expand their own perspectives and those of their learners. At the same time, teachers should have the courage and perseverance to endure tensions and take new approaches to dealing with them in order to exploit the value that they can bring. “If you succeed in this, you will be a stroke of luck for the students and at the same time find your personal happiness in this profession.”
The celebration was accompanied by music by graduate students from the music department. Afterwards, the newly qualified teachers were able to toast their success with an aperitif.
2024-02-24 10:43:25
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