Byens borgmester på besøg
Borgmester Nicolai Wammen var hovedtaler ved dimissionsfesten fredag eftermiddag på Århus Erhvervsakademi. Her var studerende fra Erhvervsakademiet sammen med familie og venner samlet til den traditionsrige afslutning i personalekantinen på AARHUS TECH. Vi bringer talen nedenfor.
Inden borgmesteren besteg talerstolen blev der uddelt eksamensbeviser til de studerende på uddannelserne til bygningskonstruktør, laborant og multimediedesigner. Med beviset fulgte håndtryk og taler, og naturligvis blev arrangementet afviklet på engelsk på grund af de mange udenlandske studerende. "Sneflokke kommer vrimlende" af Jeppe Aakjær blev dog sunget på dansk. Til gengæld var alle oppe at stå med hinanden under armene, da der til slut blev sunget "Auld lang syne" ("Sku gammel venskab ren forgå").
Nicolai Wammens tale ved dimissionsfesten på Erhvervsakademi Århus, AARHUS TECH, fredag den 29. januar 2010:
Thank you very much for letting me give you some thoughts on this very special day for you. The day which marks the end of your studies - so far. The day you are leaving the Business Academy Aarhus and are ready to start a new chapter in the book of your lives.
For some of you the new chapter will not be that new at all: You will continue your education either at the Business Acadamy or somewhere else. I guess you have been inspired so much at the Business Academy that you are eager to learn more and aim even higher.
Others of you can't wait to start your own professional career. You are already prepared to take a job and work with your professional skills you have obtained here. Although the jobsituation might have changed since you started at the Business Academy some two years ago, I have learned that the chance of success for you is quite good. I wish you the best of luck.
Regardless if you choose to continue on the educational path, or you choose to take a job, I want to recommend to you always to pursue your own dreams. Don't listen to people saying what you can't do, or what you should do. Trust in your self, and your own judgement.
And even more important: Trust in your skills. Use your competencies. And always try to improve your self. By constantly wanting to get better and smarter, finding better solutions to new problems, you will all be invaluable for your future employers.
As I started to say, I am very delighted to be present here today. I am especially excited to see so many different nationalities. This is an eminent sign of the globalized world we are living in.
Globalization is a fact! And it is of great importance that we all face this fact and contribute to use the vast opportunities and - not least - try to turn challenges into opportunities.
With this in mind you are ready to conquer the world. And you will be facing this journey with both respect and your head high, well aware of your own worth. And that is the way it is supposed to be. Because you have learned something in Århus.
In that sense, I am convinced that Århus has set a landmark in your lives, and that Århus will have found its place somewhere in your hearts.
During your time in Århus you have all experienced the distinct Århus charm, not least characterized by the fact that Århus is THE city of education in Denmark.
You have been part of this educational city just like all the other more than 40.000 students at one of the many educational institutions in Århus, who gather knowledge in their subjects each and every day.
Århus will fight hard to hold its position as the city of education in Denmark. The reason is simple: There is no doubt at all about the fact that knowledge on ALL levels is THE key factor for development in a globalized world.
Therefore I am happy to know that Århus has taught you one or a few things. Regardless if you stay in our beautifull city or are going to pursue a career somewhere else.
In fact I honestly don't mind that some of you will leave Århus. You know why? Actually I am confident that you take a little Århus with you where ever you go.
And I am just as confident that many of you will actually return to Århus. Either as welcomed guests or as well qualified workforce and as a dedicated citizen.
So please, make the best out of it. Go out and turn the world into your playground.
Congratulations everybody!
Claus Karner/
