Institute in Paris Graduation Ceremony 2024

The Ceremony began with a welcome address from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Professor Wendy Thomson CBE, who shared her own experience of studying abroad and reflected on the invaluable attributes of international experience, saying: “The culture that you are immersed in, the people that study alongside you, and the values that you develop during this formative period of your life will shape how you experience the world”. 

The Vice-Chancellor then welcomed the new graduates to the University of London’s global alumni community, encouraging them to become a force for change, saying: “It is graduates such as you who have the skills, knowledge and experience that hold out the promise for a better future. I know this because of the determination and confidence that you have demonstrated in the achievements that we are recognising today.” 

The Ceremony then continued with the presentation of the 61 graduands in attendance, who were called on stage to be warmly congratulated by the Vice-Chancellor and the CEO, receiving enthusiastic applause and cheers from the many family members and friends present. 

Dr Tim Gore then addressed the new graduates to say how proud everyone at the Institute in Paris was of their journey, saying: “You have developed your international outlook together with a range of analytical, thinking and expressive skills giving you the skills and confidence to thrive in any situation you choose for your onward journey in life.” 

Dr Tim Gore then introduced special guest Professor Mary Stiasny OBE, Professor Emerita of the University of London, who had recently retired from the University after a career as an educationalist for which she was greatly respected for her work not only in the UK but in many countries where she had supported the development of higher education. 

Professor Mary Stiasny joined Dr Tim Gore on stage and described the many University of London graduation ceremonies she had attended over the years, in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo in Sri Lanka, New Delhi and Mumbai in India, Moscow in Russia, Almaty in Kazakhstan, and, of course, Paris. She discussed how immensely proud she was of having been able to share in the success and celebrations of University of London graduates who had studied all around the world and welcomed graduates to the vast community of University of London alumni around the world. 

Before closing the Ceremony, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Public Engagement) Professor Jo Fox made a final appeal to graduates, saying: “Remember to carry with you the values and skills that you have developed through your studies […] Because we need graduates in the humanities and social sciences more now than ever before, especially those who have had diverse cultural and social experiences.  The challenges we face as a modern society are complex; and the solutions to them will be equally complex, in need of the kinds of explanation, analysis, creativity and inter-cultural understanding that the graduates of our programmes bring. To confront climate change, global mobility, social injustice, human rights, poverty, we will need to understand people – and not just in our own terms but in theirs too.” 

Although the Ceremony was taking place in late October because of the Paris Summer 2024 Olympics, the mild Autumn weather made it possible to take advantage of the charming Parisian courtyard of the Salons Hoche to celebrate the graduates’ success during a drinks reception where staff, graduates and guests had the opportunity to reminisce about their time at the Institute and share plans for the future. 

We look forward to keeping in touch with all our new alumni. For more information on how the University continues to support its graduates, visit the Institute in Paris alumni page.