WUST's joyful Convocation : Chancellor announces $2 million startup fund for students
Campus Desk
'I love you, mom—I love you,' screams echoed from the audience. On stage, a smiling mother, clad in a black gown and graduation cap, held her newly-received diploma and posed for a photo with the university's chancellor and others. Hearing her son's screams, the thirty-something mother shouted, "I love you too." She then shuffled forward to shake hands with the guests. A mixture of pride, determination, and admiration filled the stage for a moment. The master of ceremonies (MC) called the next graduate to the stage.
The Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) Class of 2025 convocation was a unique evening of many small moments. 263 students collected their diplomas at the convocation held at the Alexandria City High School auditorium recently.
The thunderous applause, the clicking of cameras, and the wonderful congratulatory messages thrown from the audience kept me entertained the entire time. One person even ate Digbaji on the graduation degree stage.
The day was Saturday (June 21). The venue became crowded after noon. The campus was filled with black gowns and caps. People of different races, colors, ages, and backgrounds seemed to be one and the same.
Many of them will now step into the world of work after graduating from university. There were also many who were already employed, but had completed their university degrees in the meantime. This was the day for everyone to receive their official certificates.
The ceremony began at 2:00 PM. Before that, the faculty of the university paraded into the hall wearing blue-black convocation gowns and university medals and rosaries. Then, Vice President (Academic) Dr. Jeffer Pirim took their seats on one side of the stage. On the other hand, the members of the Board of Trustees, including senior officials and distinguished guests, led by the Chancellor of the university, took their seats after the parade, wearing special ceremonial robes in red-black. Immediately after this, the graduates of the School of Business Administration paraded and sat on the left side of the stage. Similarly, the graduates of the School of Information Technology took their seats on the right side of the stage after the parade. The entire event was coordinated by Vice President (Operations) Dr. Shan Cho.
The guests had already taken their seats in the middle of the audience. The hall, which had more than a thousand seats, was full to the brim. In the meantime, the MC announced that the program would begin with the national anthem. And she can see you by the dawn's early light... Everyone stood up, clasped their right hands to their left chests, and showed respect for the national anthem of the United States and joined in singing.
Then the graduation speech began. At the beginning, the Chancellor and Board Chairman of the university spoke. Engineer Abubakar Hanip came on stage. He is the first Bangladeshi American in the United States to run a full-fledged university.
Arriving at the podium, he first congratulated the graduates of the Class of 2025. He said, "The world is waiting for you. It is waiting for your new ideas, your values, and the bold step to do something different."
Then, early in his speech, WEST Chancellor and Chairman Engineer Abubakar Hanip made a groundbreaking announcement. He told the convocation that the university was launching a $2 million startup fund to support students' innovative ventures.
“Today, I am proud to announce a bold initiative. We are launching a new Innovation Entrepreneurship Incubator soon. Through it, we will not only mentor students but also provide up to two million dollars in capital,” said Chancellor Hanip. The announcement brought the Convocation Auditorium to a roaring applause from students, faculty, and guests.
“Yes—up to two million dollars!” Abubakar Hanip repeated with emphasis. The entire auditorium erupted in another round of applause.
He told the students, “If you have a product, service, future plan, or concept that solves a real problem—we are ready to invest up to two million dollars for each selected concept. Because we believe that WUST is not only building your academic capabilities—it is also teaching you to be an entrepreneur.”
"Making an impact on the real life of every student is the goal of all our efforts, and that is our commitment," said Abubakar Hanip.
“We don't want our students to just look for opportunities—we want them to create opportunities for themselves. And we will be there for our students every step of the way,” he added.
The keynote speaker for the event was Soma Saeed, the first Bangladeshi-American judge of the New York City Civil Court. She inspired the new graduates by sharing her own experiences of struggle.
"Yes, you have succeeded in achieving graduation, now it is time to take that success to the next level," he said.
Referring to various aspects of the arduous journey from studying law to becoming a judge, Soma said, "Your perseverance will transform your path into determination."
Quoting the world-famous philosopher and poet Rumi, he said, “You were born with potential. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.”
Citing the example of US President Abraham Lincoln's struggle and success, Soma Saeed urged students to persevere in the face of any challenge.
Virginia State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim highlighted the importance of contributing to community development in addition to self-reliance. “If you can change one person’s life, that will gradually change the entire society,” he said.
Loudoun County Treasurer Henry C. Eichelberg advised students to think and make independent decisions. “Make your own decisions, shape your own future,” he said.
Dr. Anis Rahman, President of Applied Research and Phonetics, said, “Your diploma is nothing more than a piece of paper unless your determination, dedication, intelligence, and self-realization become real assets.”
Farhana Hanip, CFO of WUST, advised graduates to have confidence and trust in themselves, saying, "Your dedication will become your guide."
Siddique Sheikh, WST board member and founding chairman of USPICC, urged people to live not only for themselves but also for others.
Mahdi-uz-Zaman, Director of the School of Professional Studies, told the students that they must keep pace with the new world and the era of technology through their own qualifications, personality, and uniqueness.
After the speeches, the official diploma presentation ceremony began. The School of IT graduates received their diplomas from its Director, Professor Apostolos Eliopoulos. The School of Business Studies graduates received their diplomas from its Director, Dr. Mark Robinson. Each graduate had the opportunity to take photos with the Chancellor and everyone on stage, including the Chancellor, holding their diplomas.
Finally, WUST President Dr. Hasan Karaberk officially announced the graduation of all graduates of the Class of 2025. The graduates completed the graduation ceremony by turning the tassels of their hats from right to left. Then they celebrated their moment of success by throwing their graduation hats in the air. The ceremony ended in a joyful atmosphere with the click of cameras.
