The IMI family came together to celebrate the achievements of our latest alumni at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony...
We eagerly anticipate our annual Graduation Ceremony each September here at IMI Switzerland.
For numerous reasons, this stands out as one of the most joyous and celebratory events of the school year: friends reuniting, achievements being honoured, and the acknowledgment of a new chapter in the lives of our graduates.
Once again, the IMI family gathered at the Grand Casino in Luzern for our 2024 ceremony, with the stunning lakeside venue looking radiant under the early autumnal sunshine.
It was a real pleasure to be reunited with our students and their friends and families, who had travelled from across the globe to receive their undergraduate and postgraduate degree and diploma awards.
Manchester Met.'s Prof. Jennifer Watling delivers her speech to our graduands.
"Graduations are absolutely my favourite time of the year. They are such exciting events for the students and their families. You can feel that pride, feel that excitement, and that atmosphere is just fabulous!
Prof. Jennifer Watling - Pro-Vice Chancellor International at Manchester Metropolitan University
For the award presentations, we were thrilled to welcome Professor Jennifer Watling from our UK-validating partner, Manchester Metropolitan University.
IMI and Manchester Met. have been partners for over 25 years and this special collaboration allows us to deliver UK-validated degree awards right here in the heart of Switzerland.
It is an honour to welcome a delegation from Manchester Met. at each graduation ceremony, and reinforces the value of our academic partnership as well as the quality and international recognition of our students' final degree awards.
After all the academic awards were handed out, we proceeded to our Special Certificates of Merit, which honour the highest overall academic marks throughout the school year, as well as our Special Awards, which celebrate students for their professional attitude and personal achievements.
The final presentations of the event were for our two Prestige Awards. Named after two of IMI's co-founders, Mr. Tom Maher and Mr. Rudolf Fischer, these awards recognise outstanding academic achievement and exceptional contributions to service within the school community. (You can see a full list of the award winners at the end of this article.)
One of our Special Certificate winners, Omar Zuhair Kaysoon, with IMI CEO Prof. Gavin Caldwell.
Another highlight of the graduation day is the Student Response Speech, which was this year delivered by Indian student Jethro Andre Jolliffe who had earlier received his BA (Hons) in International Hotel and Tourism degree award.
Jethro delivered a warm and funny speech that reminisced about long, caffeine-fueled nights staying awake to meet dissertation deadlines and the many enjoyable experiences he had shared with his fellow graduates.
He also took time to recognise the care and support he had received from the IMI faculty and staff during his academic journey and the strong, family values that make the school such a special place to live and study.
Outside the venue, there was plenty of time for photographs (including the customary graduation cap throw) and lots of emotional reunions between former classmates.
"I'm really happy to see everyone again and that we have this special day to celebrate together before we all go on our separate paths.
Elisa Rimicci - BA (Hons) graduate in International Hospitality Entrepreneurship
Of course, the event would not be complete without the post-ceremony apéro.
Once again, we were lucky with the weather and able to enjoy the drinks reception under the Swiss sunshine on the Casino's stunning terrace area right on the shore of Lake Lucerne.
After the formalities of the ceremony, the apéro was the pefect chance for graduates, their families and friends and the IMI faculty to toast the students' success and share the many happy memories of their study time with us.
After the ceremony, it was time to relax at the apéro reception.
This was another highly successful graduation ceremony reflecting the many hours of hard work put in by the IMI team to ensure everything ran smoothly on the day.
It is always such a pleasure to see the culmination of our students' academic journey with us and, although slightly bittersweet in that their time at IMI has come to an end, each graduation fill us with such joy and excitement about what they will go on to achieve in both their professional and personal lives.
A big congratulations to all our class of 2024 and we wish them every success and happiness in their next exciting steps - they will always remain a part of the IMI family!
Professional Attitude: Sai Wai Lwin
Personal Achievement: Timothy Yeremia Wewengkang
Best Overall Degree Student: Shayan Jonathan Fernando
Best Overall Masters Student: Omar Zuhair Kaysoon
Best Dissertation by a Degree Student: Shayan Jonathan Fernando
Best Dissertation by a Masters Student: Ira Gacheri Kinoti
The Tom Maher Prize Award: Elisa Rimicci
The Rudolf Fischer Prize Award: Shayan Jonathan Fernando
Ready to start your academic journey and become a future IMI graduate? Apply here to start your academic journey with us...