Graduation Ceremony

Graduation from an educational institution is always important to a student and often involves a ceremony. Whether it is a kindergarten graduation or the commencement for a Ph.D, all countries have their way of celebrating a student’s achievement. Graduation ceremonies differ depending on where the ceremony takes place.

The United States has many types of graduations, depending on the school attended. Formerly, only high school seniors and college graduates participated in these ceremonies, but a more recent trend adds ceremonies for kindergarten, elementary schools, and middle schools. Traditional caps and gowns in school colors are worn, and commencements are usually held in stadiums, large halls, or amphitheaters, depending on the size of the graduating class.

Ceremonies are only held for University-level students in the UK. The British wear gowns but not mortarboard hats. University of Bristol students don traditional gowns but no head coverings, while Oxford and Cambridge University graduates wear gowns with fur-lined hoods draped across the shoulders. Much of the ceremony is done in Latin. The robe is usually colored according to the type of degree awarded. Graduates in Wales hear the entire ceremony in Welsh.

The history and process of Thai graduation ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies in Thailand can be said to be more ostentatious than in other countries, as these events are traditionally presided over by a member of the royal family, and each element of the ceremony is strictly regulated.

The first graduation ceremony in Thailand was held at Chulalongkorn University in 1930 and inaugurated by King Prajadhipok. This tradition continues today where members of the royal family preside over the graduation ceremonies of universities in Thailand and hand out the diplomas to the graduating class. Thailand is the only country that still has members of the royal family presiding over these ceremonies and handing out university degrees.

Graduation ceremonies are time-consuming. Students must typically undergo 2 day-long rehearsals as well as the day of graduation, which is normally held months after students have actually completed their studies. Since the ceremonies are normally scheduled on working days in term-time, degree recipients must take time off work, both to attend the rehearsals and the ceremony itself, and normal teaching in their institutions is suspended.

Regulations for dress, including underwear, and hair include the minutest details and are strictly policed. Controversies have arisen over petty issues such as whether men with beards or moustaches can receive degrees. Some universities, such as the Khon Kaen University and the Phayao University, require their graduates to have back or ‘natural’ colour hair. 
Women are also often subjected to more dress requirements than their male peers, as, on many occasions, their dress was policed down to the colour of their stockings and whether they have nail polish on. The amount of time, effort and money expended by students, their families and their institutions, is enormous.

The 1st time at Hua Mak Campus in 1973
ABAC Graduation 1972 Class 1 was organized on 23 September 1973 in the Meeting Room, De Montfort Hall, Assumption Business Administration College. Participants were administrators, the faculty, students and 31 graduated who successfully completed the Bachelor of Business Administration program. Read more 

In 1993 at The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center 
AU Graduation 1992 Class 20 was organized on 23 January 1993 at The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. AU President Bro. Prathip Martin Komolmas presided over the ceremony. Participants were administrators, the faculty, students and 1,848 graduated who successfully completed the bachelors', and masters degrees in various fields. 
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In 2020 at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) 
The Commencement Exercises Class of XLVII at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bang Na on January 18, 2020, AU Commencement Exercises Class XLVII Assumption University of Thailand.
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All The Commencement Exercises 

 Sources

AU Graduation 1972 Class 1. (1973). 
AU Graduation 1992 Class 20. (1993). 
AU Graduation 2019 Class 47. (2020). 
Harvey, I. (2017, Apr 19). Fascinating & unique graduation traditions around the world. 
Piboon, P. & Sokhlet, B. (2019). Thai graduates challenge graduation ceremony ritual.