Graduation Ceremony

In Japan, or especially at Seikei University, the connection between students and the educational institution is very important. As a part of this, a whole day is dedicated to the graduation ceremony. The morning starts with a very formal ceremony. Not only all graduates but also all professors and chairpersons of Seikei attend. The president hands the certificates to the best students not with the word "congratulation" but instead "thank you very much". After some speeches and singing the Seikei hymn the graduates leave the hall by walking through a guard of honor formed by other students and parents.

At this point the party begins. Students hug each other wildly, the girls receive flowers and memorial pictures are taken with the beautiful Kimono and suits in front of a not less beautiful university. If Sakura is early, the cherry blossoms give another good background for pictures. At my laboratory everyone gathered to have one more lunch together before the students headed to the smaller ceremonies to get their certificates. Master graduates also enjoyed a less formal party with the professors on the highest floor with a nice view over Tokyo. A perfect day, except that we could not see Mt. Fuji or Asamayama, but we should be satisfied with a sunny day and more than 20°C in mid-March.