Togas and Anglo-Saxon hats… The University of Nîmes brings together students to celebrate their success from the undergraduate level.
“Thank you, we are proud of you!” “Bravo my dear !” For parents too, the graduate ceremony organized this Saturday by the University of Nîmes is important. “Less than three years ago, you entrusted your children to university,” explains President Benoît Roig, addressing parents, knowing what this represents in terms of distance, autonomy, unknown. Added to this was the health crisis, distance learning… “We did our best to mitigate the effects of this period,” continues the president.
But three years later, as in the great schools or Anglo-Saxon universities, they parade one by one, smiling and intimidated to receive the scarf and the certificate attesting to their success. The morning began with the biggest battalions, the AES (economic and social administration) and law students. Graduates in Staps (sports), literature, languages, history, science, psychology, design, professional licenses and masters were then presented. At the end of the individual recognitions, everyone regroups, dressed in toga. And in a gesture of collective joy, throw their hats in the air, before joining a second cycle or the professional world. In all, around 600 graduates saw their efforts recognized, during a moment that was both friendly and solemn.
“A new birth”
In this recent university, with small numbers, the idea of bringing students together, of becoming one, is very strong. “We cannot ask them to wear the colors of the establishment, if we do not value them,” confides Bruno Roig. For him, this ceremony is also precious for the families who filled the amphitheater, with the same emotion as the graduates. Many students belong to the first generation in their family to study and here, diversity is real.
“We shouldn’t have missed this, it’s one of the beautiful moments of our lives, like a new birth,” confides Assia Ait Mouheb, whose daughter Ibtissème has just graduated. Eludie and Constantin Ngoyi came from Belgium. Their nephew Francis left Congo Kinshasa to come to Nîmes. “It’s a great joy to see the son finish this first stage,” they smile. Throughout the ceremony, they sent photos and videos to his parents who were able to “follow live”.
“It’s a great event, we celebrate the involvement of our children. It makes us aware of the work,” notes Marie-Christine Desthieux, whose daughter Camille Tronnet has just obtained her license. She is pleased with the management of the university where she found “a lot of seriousness, listening and dialogue.”
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