University Celebrates More than 1,300 Graduates in 2019
From 10 to 13 December, the University hosted its “Graduation Week”. In a series of festive ceremonies, Bachelor, Master, and doctoral students who completed their studies in the academic year 2018/2019 received their diplomas. Overall, 640 Bachelor and 528 Master students as well as 126 doctoral candidates graduated from the University of Luxembourg in 2019.
It was an occasion to celebrate the students’ achievements as they launch into the next phase of their studies or into their professional life. It was also an opportunity to reflect on the University’s role. Prof. Stéphane Pallage, Rector of the University of Luxembourg said: “More than ever, universities play a role in a functioning democracy. They ensure an environment of rigorous, factual and independent reflection. […] Their freedom and autonomy are essential for democracy and peace. We are fortunate to live in a country that cherishes these fundamental values. […] We thank the Luxembourg government for its visionary investment in higher education and research. It is the best investment possible, in you, your future and indeed our future. […]”
Prof. Pallage also encouraged the graduates: “The conferment of degrees is certainly one of the most cherished moments of your life. In English we say ‘commencement’ because it is the end of nothing and the beginning of everything. Another life begins here and believe me, there is a beautiful life out there beyond this auditorium.”
FSTC
205 students graduated from the Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication on 10 December. The keynote speech was given by Dr. Amy Chambers from the Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) on communicating science in entertainment.
FDEF
On 11 December, 532 students graduated from the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance. Prof. Katalin Ligeti, dean of the faculty, extended her warmest congratulations and reminded the graduates to “be bold, innovative and to make a difference.”
FLSHASE
423 students graduated from the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education on 12 December. The faculty celebrated its first graduates from the Master in Architecture that was launched two years ago.
The University also honoured 70 graduates who completed vocational and lifelong learning courses and the first eight graduates from the University of Luxembourg Competence Centre’s (ULCC) “Bachelor en Comptabilité et Fiscalité.”
Doctoral Candidates
126 doctoral candidates graduated from the University’s three faculties and three interdisciplinary centres on 13 December. In an inspiring keynote speech, Dr. Jean-Luc Lehners from the Max-Planck-Institute for Gravitational Physics (Potsdam, Germany) took “a short trip to the beginning of the universe.” Two graduates received the “Award Fondation Auguste Laval” for outstanding thesis: Max Wolter (Docteur en Physique) and Finn Babbe (Docteur en Physique). Eight doctoral theses were completed in cooperation with the Luxembourg Institute of Health, the Luxembourg Institute for Science and Technology and the Max Planck Institute Luxembourg.
Awards for Outstanding Achievements
A number of graduates from a range of disciplines received awards for outstanding achievement. The Prix Portabella Excellence Académique and Prix Portabella Excellence Mobilité as well as the OAI Award for Architecture were presented for the first time this year. All awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of partners:
Association da Vinci
Banque de Chine (Luxembourg) S.A.
Barreau de Luxembourg
Economist Club Luxembourg
Fondation Auguste Laval
Fondation du Mérite Européen
Fondation Nicolas et Jean-Paul Lanners
INVESTAS a.s.b.l.
Les Amis de l’Université du Luxembourg
Société mathématique du Luxembourg
M. Josef Azizi
Ordre des Architectes et des Ingénieurs-Conseils Pictet & Cie (Europe) SA
SGI Ingénierie SA
Zonta Club Luxembourg
Maya Olszewski, Master in Information and Computer Sciences
Vladimir Zabolotskiy, Master of Science in Quantitative Economics and Finance
Arnaud Van Laere, Master in European Governance
Vincent Wolff, Bachelor en Sciences et Ingénierie – Filière Mathématiques
Arnaud Geyer, Bachelor en Gestion
Cédric Stammet, Bachelor en Cultures Européennes – Filière Histoire
Ayham Bawadekji, Bachelor en Ingénierie – Filière Électrotechnique
Lara Jacoby, Bachelor en Sciences Économiques et de Gestion
Isabelle Périard, Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication
Laurent André, Bachelor en Science et Ingénierie – Filière Ingénierie
Lisa Reccius, Bachelor en Ingénerie – Filière Europäisches Baumanagement
Aleksander Vatov, Bachelor en Science et Ingénierie – Filière Ingénierie
Lena Merges, Bachelor en Sciences et Ingénierie – Filière Physique
Zhu Fa, Master in Mathematics
Marc Thines, Master en Enseignement Secondaire – Mathématiques
Tom Welter et Vincent Wolff, Bachelor en Sciences et Ingénierie – Filière Mathématiques
Charel Backes, Master of Science in Civil Engineering – Megastructure Engineering with Sustainable Resources
Aldin Bahović, Master of Science in Civil Engineering – Megastructure Engineering with Sustainable Resources
Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance
Jessica Almeida Cesa, Bachelor en Droit
Zichen Xiao, Master of Science in Banking and Finance
Vladimir Zabolotskiy, Master of Economics and Finance
Laurent Kops, Master in Wealth Management
Marlies Thea J Goovaerts, Master in European Economic and Financial Criminal Law
Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education
Charel Koenig, Master in European Governance
Dragos Ghioca, Master in Architecture