The Class of 2024 at Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) celebrated their graduation by turning their tassels, cheering, and tossing their caps.
The event, held at Alexandria City High School on Saturday (June 29), saw 213 students receive their bachelor's and master's degrees: 55 from the School of Business and 158 from the School of Information Technology.
Keynote speaker U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly and other dignitaries, including Karen Keys-Gammara and university chancellor Abubokor Hanip addressed the graduates.
Connolly emphasized the importance of technology education and encouraged graduates to use their skills for societal good.
Mentioning the relevance of STEM degrees, the U.S. Representative highlighted the use of technology knowledge to overcome challenges such as climate change, pandemics, artificial intelligence, disinformation, and cybercrimes.
Ms. Karen Keys-Gammara of the Virginia House of Delegates urged the graduating students to keep striving to achieve new goals each day and to serve their community.
Chancellor Engineer Abubokor Hanip emphasized the importance of adaptability and urged the students to embrace challenges, overcoming them with the knowledge, values, and qualities they gained from Washington University of Science and Technology.
University president Dr. Hasan Karaburk officially conferred the degree and thanked all the members of WUST leadership, faculty members, and officials, emphasizing the value of the teamwork that thrives at Washington University of Science and Technology.
CFO Farhana Hanip shared her personal stories, urging graduates to embrace challenges and strive for their dreams.
Professor Apostolos Eliopoulos, Director of the School of IT, and Dr. Mark Robinson, Director of the School of Business, handed out the degrees to the graduates from their respective schools.
Valedictorians Carlos Israel Moreno Hernandez and Zenifer Afroz Chowdhury praised WUST's supportive environment.
Throughout the ceremony, the graduates also heard from Sheikh Rahman, State Senator from Georgia; Saddam Azlan Salim, State Senator from Virginia; Dr. Hussain Bhuyan, Director of HDD Group, China; Dr. Saiful Khandaker, CEO and Founder of Fintech Ecosystem Development; and the WUST Board Members Mr. Siddique Sheikh, Mr. Mohammad Mahdee-uz Zaman, and Mr. Nasirul Huq.
The ceremony concluded with an official photo session and was followed by a dinner.
