Another Wisuda (graduation)

Wisuda of Universitas Dhyana Pura

On Friday September 5th, 2014, Universitas Dhyana Pura ("Undhira Bali") held its 3rd "Wisuda" (Graduation Ceremony) at the Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel.  If you've read my blog entries of past year's visits you may recall that I've previously written about Wisudas before.  I've attended several.  In 2011 I attended the 26th and the 7th.  The 26th was for the PPLP, the original vocational training institution which was to develop into Undhira Bali.  Also in 2011 I attended the 7th Wisuda - for the STIM, the management department which granted B.Economics degrees.  In 2011 the new University was born and received its official charter.  Now all students, regardless of faculty and course within Undhira, graduate at a combined ceremony, and this year the Wisuda was entitled "3rd Wisuda" to recognise the new institution which celebrated its 3rd birthday shortly before  my arrival this year.  So, now it's all been explained.

Students were rehearsing their roles (e.g. choir, "welcomers", ceremonial escort and dancers etc.) for quite some time before the ceremony.  Last and this year I taught 2 of the students selected in the dance ensemble, so I went back stage to wish them well before their performance - it was hard to recognise them as they had been made up in the traditional dancer style.  Apart from some variation in height they looked much the same, which was, of course, the intention of the costume and make-up.   For some it was their first performance in front of such a large audience, but they all performed very well.

Suci Mertaningsih, an "English Studies" student
dressed in traditional costume (with added Undhira
logos).  Not quite her normal classroom appearance.

Suci in the Undhira traditional dance troupe costume

It was a real delight and satisfying occasion to see these young men and women graduate.  Many of them I had taught for several weeks in 2010 and 2011, and a few I had seen regularly during my 2012 and 2013 visits to teach at Undhira. 

Although my seat in the centre of the second row was deal for watching the dancing and general proceedings it meant that at the moment when students were presented with their degrees they had their backs to me.  Thus I have no photos of the actual presentations (or just an occasional bowed back).

Excited students let off some steam before the graduation ceremony

No longer young lads in the classroom, but soon-to-be young
graduates.  Steven (right) was captain of the debating team
 which I accompanied to the National Championships last year.

Daniel (left, partly hidden by his tassel) was
a regular at my film nights and shared meals.

Our students perform a traditional welcome dance to open the ceremony

Is that Suci?  It's rather hard to tell!

Dancers, with the Rektor and the two Vice-Rektors.

For 2 years she's sung in the choir.  This year
Kesy conducted the choir.  Here she is
leading the audience in the National Anthem.

Two representative students lead the new graduates in
an oath of allegiance to the Nation and to the University.
(Ika, on the right, was a student of mine for 2 years)

I've had many conversations with these 3 young men:
left to right:  Steven, Daniel and Julius

Professor John Vong, Vice Director of the Financial IT Academy
of the Singapore Management University spoke about the pilot
project on campus to allow students (and staff) to carry out a
range of small financial transactions outside of the normal
banking system (and thus incur no or just very low charges).

Dr Goh, also of the SMU, presents a certificate to the Rektor

After the ceremony students members of the escort
pose for photos.  The conch shells were blown as signals.

Paul in Bali
19/09/2014