Excitement as BPD students graduate

"Post these photos on Facebook," said one graduating student to another as she took a group shot during BITS, Pilani – Dubai's (BPD) graduation ceremony held last week.

Although it came later than the graduation ceremonies of several other universities in the UAE, the event was not lacking in excitement or pride.

Some 247 students graduated last week. There was exuberance in the eyes and voices of all the graduates as they laughed with their friends, took photos with their families and one by one, took to the stage and received their degrees.

Stanford students

The graduates were from the engineering and computer science streams. Two students, Namita Das and Nandita Prabhu, scored a full GPA (Grade Point Average) during the course and are on their way to Stanford University for higher studies.

Electrical and electronics engineering student Namita Das spoke to Notes shortly before she received her top of the class award.

"I feel quite happy because I'm going for my master's degree in management science and engineering in Stanford University," she said. "I'm very confident that I will be able to live over there, partly because BITS prepared me well and partly because Dubai is a cosmopolitan city," she said.

"I feel like a young adult; I can take my own decisions confidently. And it feels so honouring to be wearing this robe today," she added.

As for Nandita Prabhu who also made it to Stanford for a master's degree in computer science, it's a different kind of excitement because she has never lived outside Dubai. "It feels great; I'm really excited about my graduation and new life," she said.

Joining the workforce

Many of the new graduates will be working in companies in Dubai.

"I will be training people on soft computer skills in a company in Dubai. It makes me really happy that I secured a job before graduating," said Arvin Kumar, a graduate in computer science engineering.

Anamaya Bhabi, electronics and electrical engineer, said: "I got a job in a shipments and pipelines company in Dubai," he said. "Getting a job is thrilling and although I know I'll miss this life (university), I'm looking forward to it."

Mir Farazuddin, electronics and engineering student, said: "I feel great. This is the culmination of 16 years in one day. After graduation I'll be working in Dubai for some experience, then I'll go for my master's."

Figures

Of the 247 graduates: