Dear guests, students, instructors, and fellow graduates, I am honored to be a part of this gathering and have a chance to express my feelings on this day with all of you. Neil Armstrong once said about landing on the moon, “it is a small step for a man and a huge step for mankind.” The meaning of today’s event is very similar for us, graduate students. Although it might be a small step for each of us in terms of education, it is a giant leap between who we used to be and who we are becoming. The richness of knowledge, valuable experiences, skills, networks, and worldview insights that we acquired at ASA College have become a significant part of our lives.
It will shape the form of our future and guide us toward new achievements. Although the path toward graduation was not a conventional one due to the COVID-19 challenges, these difficulties taught us an important lesson: there is nothing impossible if you have a sincere desire and eagerness to achieve your goals. So let us make that leap confidently and with a firm belief in success!