A moment of eternal gratitude and satisfaction for dreams come true, marked the 50th graduation ceremony of the José Antonio Echevarría Higher Polytechnic Institute (Cujae),— dedicated to the return of the Cuban Five – where 1,030 of the 59,000 engineering and architecture students which have graduated from the institution throughout its history, formally received their diplomas.
During the ceremony Gerardo, Ramón, Antonio and René received a recognition presented to them by Alicia Alonso Becerra, rector of the institution, and Enzo Pigueiras, President of the Federation of University Students (FEU) at the Cujae. “The Cujae the Five’s home. We congratulate all the graduates and wish you all great success. Leave here conscious of what still remains to be done and of what the opportunity to study and graduate has given you, of what the Revolution is” stated Tony to the young students.
Daniel Alejandro de los Ríos, an outstanding Industrial Engineering student, stated to Granma that for the graduates the moment has now arrived to receive their university title and apply everything they have learned, and that the most important thing is to thank the Revolution, Cujae, professors and family members. “But with this we are also accepting a commitment to society; because the decision to become an engineer or architect implies a certain attitude toward life,” he stated in shi speah on behalf of all the graduates.
Mahamadou Iboudo, from Burkina Faso, one of the 19 foreign students graduating from the center, noted that being a “cujaeño” (student of the Cujae) not only means having studied architecture or engineering, but also having “learned to live, think logically, create innovative solutions, work in a team, respect others, accept criticism however harsh it may be, and learn from said criticism in order to reach our goals.”
Gold Titles went to the most well-roundedgraduates, while awards were also presented to those who realized outstanding efforts in the FEU and each faculty.
Meanwhile, for the first time, the rector of the institution awarded Prizes for Scientific Merit, in recognition of outstanding students who have participated in events and prize winning investigations.
“The fruit of the homeland rests in your hands. Its your job to continue working to achieve the full implementation of the Guidelines, its your job to continue applying the creativity and technical knowledge you have accumulated throughout your studies to the production sector,” stated Alicia Alonso Becerra, in her speech to the graduates.
Also in attendance at the ceremony where teachers and family members of graduates; Dr. Rodolfo Alarcón Ortiz, minister of Higher Education; as well as deputy ministers, rectors and special guests.
