On Wednesday May 10th, in the UniCamillus’ main lecture theatre, a graduation ceremony for the academic year 2021-2022 took place. Over 200 people participated in the event, including special guests: journalists Emma D’Aquino and Vira Carbone, and Red Canzian, singer and musician in the famous Italian band “The Pooh”.
The Principal, Professor Gianni Profita, awarded 82 students a degree certificate in their respective fields of study: Physiotherapy, Nursing, Midwifery, Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, and Radiology, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques.
After the Principal greeted and thanked all the guests present, five Student Representatives took turns addressing the audience: Cristina Argentieri (Physiotherapy), Rita Fuseni (Nursing), Giada Perez (Midwifery), Aurora Tocci (Biomedical Laboratory Techniques) and Joseph Rebecca (Radiology, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques). During their brief speeches they all underlined how UniCamillus represented much more than just a university to them, allowing them to get in touch with cultures different from their own, enriching them with friends who they will cherish forever.
Before the awards ceremony, three special guests answered some questions raised by the Principal, and then wished the best to the young audience present at the event. Emma D’Aquino wanted to highlight the importance of respecting diversity, one of the founding principles of UniCamillus: “The world of journalism/information, to which I belong, like any other social group, will never be totally uncontaminated. In order to allow different types of personalities and consciousness to blend and coexist you must always respect one another. Everywhere, in school, university, in your working environment, your first rule must be respecting diversity, a great gift we should always be thankful for”. Vira Carbone agreed with her colleague on this topic: “Coming here today and witnessing so much passion from this new generation of doctors made me really excited. I can feel in this room the secret to not being afraid, which means believing in what you do and persevering, despite everything. It means setting yourself a goal and being certain that you can achieve it”.
Red Canzian shared some personal experience that linked him to UniCamillus: “I am here today because one of your Professors, Ruggero De Paolis, invited me. He told me I was his greatest success. He is a cardiologist, and in 2015, I had an aortic dissection. When I got to the hospital, he had finished his shift and was supposed to leave for the day. But he came back and operated on me. I cannot bring examples from my job, because they would hardly fit, but mine is still a job of passion, and if Professor Ruggero De Paolis did not do his job with the same great passion, maybe I would not be here”.
Sitting in the audience, to represent the different nationalities of the students, were Emmanuel Charles, diplomatic representant of Haiti, Neena Malhotra, Indian Ambassador to Italy, and Connie Nkatha Maina, Kenyan Ambassador to Italy. All of them congratulated the students, in particular those coming from their respective countries, but they extended their wishes to the whole UniCamillus academic community.
During the event there was also a moment for a heartfelt tribute to Sister Grace, a nun from Ghana who was a Nursing student at UniCamillus and sadly passed away in 2020 due to Covid-19. A Memorian award in her name was awarded to her Mother Superior, Sister Maria Mazzilli of the Congregazione delle Povere Figlie della Visitazione di Maria.
At the end of the ceremony, the students threw their graduation caps, and then took a selfie with the three guests, Red Canzian, Emma D’Aquino and Vira Carbona, all wearing red gowns. “It is not a coincidence my name is Red”, said the singer. “If I were called Green, I would not be here!”.
