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Wittenborg Students Enrich Apeldoorn, says City's Acting Mayor

Almost 40 graduates from 16 different countries received their well-earned degrees at Wittenborg's 2019 Summer Graduation Ceremony at Apeldoorn City Hall - the youngest among them being 19-year old Illia Kupris from Ukraine. They were addressed by the acting mayor of Apeldoorn, Petra van Wingereden, as well as Wittenborg's Vice President Corporate Affairs, Dr Jan-Albert Dop.

The group consisted of MSc, MBA and IBA students, as well as the second group of Wittenborg lecturers to receive their Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, offered in conjunction with Wittenborg's partner institute in the UK, the University of Brighton.

Wittenborg's chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, introduced the first of this semester's 7 MBA graduates - Wittenborg's Director Assistant, Lasantha De Silva, who completed an MBA in Finance. Birdsall told the graduates: "As the Board we are pleased and proud of what you have achieved. "We prepare you as best as possible to make a success of your career, because that reflects on us. Wittenborg will always be on your CV. As you progress, our job is to improve the brand and the reputation of the institution."

Van Wingerden welcomed graduates on behalf of the city of Apeldoorn and said: "First of all, I want you to have a great day. Don't worry about whatever awful thing is going on in the world right now and just take a moment to enjoy the fruit of your labour. I don't know what struggles you faced during your studies, but you managed to overcome all that."

She reminded graduates that, although they are leaving Wittenborg, it does not mean they are done learning. "I think no-one understand that better than our MBA and MSc graduates who are here today. They decided they are not done learning and came back for a second, or maybe even third degree. They wanted to see what else is out there, what more they can learn. In short, they were curious." She also thanked graduates for choosing to study in Apeldoorn and enriching the community.

Dop, in his speech, said that graduates did not just come to Wittenborg "to get a degree", but also to gain an education and experience international living with fellow students from all over the world. "You will take that experience with you, wherever your career takes you. Your degree from Wittenborg will stand you in good stead, well-equipped to face the challenges of today's world."

WUP 15/7/2019
by Anesca Smith
©WUAS Press