Graduation Ceremony 10
Monday 01st December 2014 at 4.30 p.m.
JESUITS’ CHURCH – VALLETTA
Graduand’s Address
Marilyn Grima
Student Representatitve
I consider it an honour and a privilege to have been invited to deliver this address today – a day which I feel is one of transition as
we take stock of the past and at the same assess the challenging future that lies before us. If we look backwards to the past, we all
agree that it has been nothing less of an uphill struggle and we, as graduates, have had to accomplish a great deal to arrive to this
moment. So today is a culmination of all that has gone before, but really in every ending there is always the challenge of a new
beginning. While we are all excited with today’s achievement, we are also in part with the vague disquiet of the unknown. What is
truly known to us is a world of such rapid and profound change and we are now the actors that should embrace this reality.
When I graduated as an accountant six years ago, I was lucky enough to have a job waiting for me in one of the Big 4 firms. So I
thought the future was so predictable but as I started working I came to terms with the fact that the working-world is not as cosy
and as protective as I imagined it to be. I started to understand that I have to take responsibility for myself, I have to work in a
vibrant network of engaged individuals and most important of all – constantly focus on understanding what happens in the real
world and what it means.
Beyond our shores, the effects of what has been considered as the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression started to
come into play – job losses, social hardships, downturns in the housing market and deterioration in fiscal positions of
governments, amongst others. This global economic crisis brought to the brink of collapse the world’s financial system and its
consequences did not spare Malta. Luckily enough, our country was one of the least affected countries in the European Union.
Surrounded by such circumstances, I started to understand the entrenched challenges that Malta has to face, not only as an EU
Member State but also as a small country on an international level. I was struck by the fact that we still managed to grow
notwithstanding the fact that we were surrounded by failed or failing economies, while we learnt to appreciate more the level of
success that the Maltese achieve against all odds.
I felt it was then my time to act and look towards widening my opportunities in my career. It was then that I decided to opt for a
Masters in European Studies within the Institute of European Studies at the University of Malta in order to deepen my knowledge
of the EU and be able to tap in the future countless opportunities that such an expertise in the area offers. This two year period of
study truly fulfilled my expectations, academically and beyond. My time at the Institute was made so motivational in large part to
the lecturers and staff but also my colleagues enrolled in the course. The knowledge gained in my personal experience at the
Institute went far beyond the lecturing rooms of the University. During a study visit in Brussels together with other Masters
students from various Member States, I had the opportunity to meet now former European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso, be participative in a number of meetings with EU scholars and MEPs, witness the launch of the EU Citizens’ Passport and
contribute to the publication of a book by compiling an article on EU citizenship and its role for regions and cities. Ironically,
locally the discussions on the sale of citizenship had started to gain momentum and this helped me to understand more what it
means to be Maltese but also European.
In my contribution, I stressed that the EU exists for us as citizens, and we should be encouraged to be involved in setting the
European agenda. For this to happen, however, we should see ourselves as Europeans, by feeling a sense of belonging wherever we
are, we should be willing to voice our concerns and be more participative in EU matters.
I also had the opportunity to attend an Erasmus supported programme at the University of Crete where I shared my views on the
experiences, accomplishments, problems and future prospects on governance and security in the EU and in the Mediterranean.
These experiences abroad made me come to terms with the huge challenges that the EU faces and the fact that it is up to the
citizens to shape these challenges. In tomorrow’s increasingly competitive world, Europe will only be able to survive if its citizens
pull one rope and in the same direction and if the Member States opt for ‘more Union’.
It is not my intention to be controversial on today’s occasion but I feel that the European Union has gone a long way in the
creation of wealth for our continent – ending years of blood and war to say the least. But today that the foundation has been in
place for so many years, there is still so much to be done in order to be able to unlock the full potential of 28 Member States. It is
not a question of them but a question of us as one big family.
And while we mention family.... our accomplishments today are not of us as graduates alone. Behind each and every one of us
there is a story of family and friends: of parents, partners, spouses, brothers and sisters, grandparents and other loved ones who
inspired us and encouraged us never to let go but be strong to accomplish our dreams. Together you made today’s moment
possible and we thank you for that. Let us honour also our lecturers and staff within faculties who educated us and who worked
hard to give us a sense of mastery.
Today I feel that we shall not only be receiving the final certificates but another three gifts that have been bestowed by the
University of Malta – knowledge to help us encounter the many challenges that are awaiting us; vision to master change, to look
up from our books now and ask why things can and should be different; and finally the gift of confidence to respect our capacities
and have faith in ourselves as effective men and women. Let us together be leaders in our chosen fields and never fear change but
master it whilst we still hold on to our inner values.
In spite of the uncertainties that surround us, we should look anxiously towards the future. Let us be active and dig deep in our
talents, never stop to learn, never fear change but always look ahead.
Our graduation ceremony shall be remembered as having been held on 1st December 2014 but graduation should be every day of
our lives – this if we consider it as a process to be cherished day after day. If we can truly master this we would really be making a
difference.
Good luck and well done to all. Thank you