Schram: Degree marks the start to life

By ELLEN TIAMU
ATTAINING a degree is just one step in the long process of learning and self-discovery.
Speaking at the University of Technology’s 44th graduation ceremony last Friday, Vice-Chancellor Albert Schram told the 800-plus graduates that the day marked their membership to an international community of scholars and learners.
“At this university you stopped being someone’s wantok and became a PNG professional.”
Schram said this did not mean they had learnt everything they ever needed to know, but instead, they had learnt to learn and that “is what counts”.
He said they could view the successful completion of their studies in three ways – become complacent and it was the highest they would ever achieve, be fatalistic and just “go with the flow” or be full of expectation and make more goals.
“Your learning has just become a responsibility, a challenge for life, but leading to great satisfaction.”
Schram said to have a fulfilling life involved using one’s talents to help others.
“A university degree is the start of a journey of self-discovery and influencing the lives of others in a positive way and unlike any other journey.
“This one has no fixed destination, although the destination will reveal itself during the trip,” he said
Schram quoted the motto of Freiburg University in Germany which says “the truth will make you free”.
He urged the graduating students to seek the truth with responsibility so they could enjoy enormous freedom and power to realise all their dreams.
This was his first address to graduating students since taking up the post at Unitech early this year.