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| Balinese style message of congratulations |
One of the first "big events" in College life for me last year was the graduation of the students from STIM (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Manajemen – literal translation is something like “Higher (tertiary) school of management knowledge (science)”), the degree granting component of the college. This year graduation day (the “Wisuda”) was held just 2 days after my arrival so I was fortunate to have arrived in time for the event this year. Cars loaded with staff and choir members set off from Dhyana Pura at 7 am for the long drive south to the Patra Bali Hotel, close to the airport.
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| Dancers prepare for their performances |
We arrived to see final preparations in full swing. Musicians were unloading instruments from the back of a truck and were carefully moving large gamelan instruments such as gongs and metal keyed xylophones into the auditorium. Dancers were adjusting their costumes and applying makeup, and students were dressing in traditional costume to be part of the welcoming party. My own graduation many years ago seems rather plain and simple in comparison with this colourful ceremony. It was a great pleasure to speak with the excited new graduates, some of whom I had met informally last year, even though most of my classes were with new students.
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| Students in traditional dress welcome guests |
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| Welcoming the guests |
In my day the academic procession entered the hall to the sound of trumpets. Here the entry was announced by the sounding of conch shell horns and the rapping of a ceremonial decorated staff. Then costumed students led in the procession of Senate members, graduating students and official guests.
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| The ceremonial entry of the academic procession |
The troupe of traditional dancers performed to the fascinating and exotic sound (to me) of the gamelan orchestra.Official speeches and presentations are much the same everywhere, but one aspect of the awarding of graduates is a little different. The students were gown and a 5 pointed “mortar board” style hat, from the top of which hangs a braided tassel. It hangs over the edge of the hat and dangles down the left side of the student’s face.When receiving their degrees, students face the Director who congratulates them and moves the tassel so that it hangs on the right side of the face, thus marking the transition from undergraduate to graduate.
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The college choir
The choir sang several times; the dancers performed again; prizes were awarded to the top students; and the graduates pledged the allegiance as good citizens and alumni. |
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| The musicians relax between performances |
At the end of the proceedings there occurred a significant event for the life of the college. A ministry official presented Dr Mastra, chairman of the Foundation governing the college, with the charter bestowing University status on the college. Dr Mastra then presented this to the new director, Dr I Made Nyandra. It was a big moment and the culmination of many years of hope, planning and prayers. The college started as a training program associated with the sister body, the Dhyana Pura Resort Hotel, and grew into a dedicated vocational college and now a University (which also has certificate, diploma and high school vocational streams).
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| Dr Mastra receives the new University's charter |
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| Staff and student comperes |
After the ceremony ended students and graduates took photos and were photographed in many combinations. Then all moved to the dining rooms for a fine buffet with an unexpected dessert – bread and butter pudding, a childhood favourite.
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| Happy new graduates |
It was a long, crowded and slow drive back to College and the end of another Graduation Day.
Paul in Bali
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