Students upset about graduation ceremony in small hall

Many students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology reacted strongly because the graduation ceremony was not held in hall A5 but had to be moved to a smaller, less grand location.

The location of the graduation ceremony at the end of April is a hot topic among the student community at the University of Technology, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. On April 16, the school announced that the ceremony will be held on April 26, in two halls A5 and B4, depending on the faculty. International program students will have their graduation ceremony on the morning of April 27.

The information attracted thousands of interactions on the school's fanpage, most of whom were against it. According to them, A5 is the largest and most solemn hall of the Polytechnic with a capacity of about 1,000 people. Meanwhile, hall B4 with a capacity of about 150 people, is not commensurate with the scale of the graduation ceremony.

Hall A5 of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Photo: HCMUT

Thanh Phong, a new graduate of the Faculty of Transportation Engineering, said he was disappointed when he learned that he would receive his diploma in hall B4. Phong said that the graduation ceremony was important to him and his parents, so he planned to bring his family from Binh Phuoc to Ho Chi Minh City to attend.

"My family and I are always proud and look forward to graduation day. Many parents quit their jobs and travel to attend the ceremony, wanting to see their children stand on the stage to receive their bachelor's degree in a solemn hall," Phong said.

Similarly, Ha Minh, a new graduate of the Faculty of Industrial Management, felt frustrated and angry when students of other faculties had their graduation ceremonies held in hall A5 while he had to attend the ceremony in hall B4. The male student said that graduating from university, especially from a leading technical school like Bach Khoa, is a matter of pride. Therefore, students are willing to wait a few more days or weeks to have a worthy ceremony.

According to Minh, in addition to the solemnity, hall A5 also has a spiritual meaning for Polytechnic students to strive for. On the day of admission, all students are motivated by teachers to "enter from A5 and leave from A5". Therefore, this hall is by default associated with the graduation milestone of students.

On its fanpage, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology said that 7 faculties will hold graduation ceremonies in hall B4.

Hall B4 of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Photo: TD

On April 17, Associate Professor Dr. Bui Mai Huong, Head of Brand Management - Communication Department, University of Technology, said that for a long time, graduation ceremonies have been held in hall A5. This is the first time the school has held graduation ceremonies in both halls A5 and B4.

Associate Professor Huong said that at the end of April, the whole school had about 1,000 students and graduates, not including accompanying parents. In previous A5 ceremonies, some faculties had only over 100 attendees, making them feel small in the middle of the hall. This year, the Academic Council, school leaders and faculties voted to change the decision, aiming to organize an effective yet serious and meaningful graduation ceremony.

"There is absolutely no discrimination between one faculty and another," Associate Professor Huong said.

She added that both halls were decorated, equipped with LED screens and stages to ensure the solemnity of the ceremony. B4 is also where important school events such as the appointment ceremony of professors and associate professors are held.

The school does not charge a fee for the graduation ceremony. Students deposit 500,000 VND for their gowns, which will be returned after deducting the cost of washing and ironing. In addition, each graduating student pays 95,000 VND for printing and copying their diplomas, transcripts, and report cards.

In Vietnam, in the past 5 years, graduation ceremonies have been paid attention to by universities and organized grandly... For example, Foreign Trade University held the ceremony at the National Convention Center, Ton Duc Thang University decorated the hall with more than 1,400 seats for big events. In addition, schools also invested in their own ceremonial costumes, invited celebrities, and designed sound and lighting. Some schools are free, but many also charge students from 0.2 million to 1.5 million VND. Meanwhile, students often invite their parents, relatives, and friends to join in the fun.

As a result, many schools have been criticized for their graduation ceremonies. Hoa Sen University had to rent the Hoa Binh Theater in District 10 twice because students complained that the old venue was cramped and not formal enough for a graduation ceremony.

Last year, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages ​​and Information Technology made students angry when it only sent invitations to the graduation ceremony to parents of students with good or excellent grades. The Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities changed the date of the ceremony, leaving students living far away unable to make arrangements.

Le Nguyen

* Student name has been changed

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