During the Graduation Week held from 11 to 15 December, the University conferred 1,600 diplomas to students for the academic year 2022/23. The former President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker gave a speech at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine.
Among the 1,600 graduates, there were roughly 700 Bachelor students, 600 Master students, and almost 100 students in continuing education. In addition, 200 young researchers obtained their doctoral diplomas. All graduates can now register as members of the University’s alumni network.
“Twenty years ago, the University’s very first students collected their diplomas. There was no Graduation Week at the time, nor in fact the Belval campus or the Maison du Savoir,” said Academic Vice-Rector Prof. Catherine Léglu. “But just like today, there were students who had put their trust in the University of Luxembourg and their future in the hands of this young institution. For this trust, we thank you. Our task is to give you the best possible chance of achieving your aspirations and ambitions, and we wish you every success in your future journey.”
First graduates of some of our recent Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes
Tuesday’s ceremony saw 13 students receive their Bachelor of Medicine degrees, for the first time in the University’s history. The trilingual bachelor was launched in 2020 as the first part of a medical education programme at the University.
It was also the first graduation ceremony for students of the Bachelors in Mathematics, Physics and Engineering, as well as for the Master in Data Science and the Master in Technopreneurship.
The ceremony welcomed the Minister of Health and Social Security Martine Deprez, the Minister for Research and Higher Education Stéphanie Obertin, as well as former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The former Luxembourg Prime Minister surprised many young graduates by explaining that he had been against the creation of the University 20 years ago but was now happy to see the results. He then spoke of Europe’s future challenges and perspectives.
The Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) conferred 414 diplomas, the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) 520 diplomas and the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) 497 diplomas.
At the PhD graduation ceremony, Minister for Research and Higher Education Stéphanie Obertin commented: “The journey of a doctorate is one marked by perseverance, commitment and hard work. A PhD is an odyssey of learning, learning to manage a project, a budget, learning to accept a dead end, go back and start again with new ideas. It truly is a milestone in your path to the future. ou contribute to the reputation of the scientific community of the University as well as of the country, and for this, I thank you.”
Outstanding achievements rewarded
Several dozen graduates received awards for their academic achievements. The Germain Dondelinger Award, supported by Encevo and Amis de l’Université, was awarded to Keerthana Murugaraj (FSTM), Panagiota Apostolopoulou (FDEF) and Babayan Melsida (FHSE).
The Portabella Academic Excellence Award from the Portabella Foundation and Amis de l’Université was given to Oliver Philip Jack (FSTM), David Barthels (FDEF) and Milena Kira de la Rubia Brettschneider (FHSE).
The Fondation du Mérite Européen award went to Ioanna Bagia (FDEF), and the Fondation Auguste Laval prize went to Alfredo Blazquez Martinez (FSTM).
All the ceremonies can be followed on the University’s Youtube channel.
© University of Luxembourg / Sophie Margue