Hundreds of well-wishers crowded into one of Aberdeen’s most cherished buildings yesterday to watch their loved ones graduate on the first day of ceremonies for Robert Gordon University.
University chancellor and celebrated businessman, Sir Ian Wood, congratulated the assembled students at Her Majesty’s Theatre as they took to the stage in front of proud families and friends.
He also offered some “food for thought” while the graduates prepare to enter the world of work.
He said: “Your generation is the most powerful in history with the transformational impact of information technology and unbelievably fast-changing and powerful communications.
“As a result, you’re living in a world of continuous change.”
He told graduates their world would witness “mind-blowing scientific advances”, but would also face challenges, with increasing racial and religious strife.
And he said their generation had the potential to be “the most powerful in history” during his closing speech.
The historic venue was alive with the bustle of eager students from the Aberdeen Business School, joined by their kith and kin, as the retired chairman of oil and gas firm Wood Group highlighted the opportunities available to the new graduates to change the world for the better.
Sir Ian added: “Many of the problems exist because my generation has not accepted the concept of global responsibility.
“My great hope is your generation will be different and do something.”
The RGU chancellor also made reference to the growing population, adding: “The number of people on Earth could double to 12 billion by the end of this century.”
He also offered some advice from his own lengthy and successful career to the budding businessmen and women.
Sir Ian said: “Think global. Scotland, or whichever country you come from, is not the centre of the world, our world has no centre but is a matrix of countries and religions, ethnic groups and cultures.”
He insisted the new graduates had a responsibility to use their privileges wisely, adding: “One day you’ll think you’ve made it. Truly if you wake up in bed one morning thinking that, you should just stay in bed.”
Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, RGU principal and vice chancellor, also took to the stage to say graduations were “something we must treasure”.
He added: “Aberdeen Business School has gone from strength to strength. I’d hope you will keep in touch with our alumni office and that you will consider yourselves members of the RGU family.”
Making an impassioned student address was Edward Pollock, the student president, he also spoke of the sense of “family” within the university and gave some advice: “Find a job you are passionate about, then work will never be a burden.”