Matriculation Ceremony

Matriculation Ceremony

It is sad to have missed my big day; graduation ceremony in UTM. But isn’t loss always come with gain? Join Jiann Chyuan to a completely different “graduation ceremony” in Norway.

Graduation day is a big day for most of the students pursuing a certificate in higher education. But in Norway, graduation day doesn’t exist. However, it is fortunate enough that there is a substitution to recognise this glamorous event.

It is called the matriculation ceremony. But instead of fare-welling successful graduates from the institution, it is actually a traditional way in Norway to welcome all new degree-seeking students, and to celebrate that they are going to begin their life in universities.

Well, to welcome students in orientation week is definitely not uncommon. But the supposed-to-be-formal event of matriculation ceremony is very unique if compared to the ordinary orientation programmes. It is big, too big that it is absolutely comparable to graduation ceremony held in other universities in the world. (Repetitive statement is meant for emphasis. And in this case, it means BIG!)

However, big doesn’t always mean bureaucratic.

In fact, it is so informal, casual, relaxing, and surprisingly, entertaining!

Firstly, you don’t have to spend money for this ceremony, not even a single cent. Why? Simple, no graduation ceremony fee, no need to register for photo taking session, and the most important and funny part is, you can even wear singlet and shorts to receive your matriculation certificate!

Okay, I’ve to admit it is too exaggerating to have mentioned singlet (but it is true for the case of shorts), probably because the weather in Trondheim is too cold for singlet. But a simple pullover will do the trick. Why would such a big event so tolerable to students’ attire? I’ve no idea. But I did enjoy it a lot, because it has less hassle (zero actually).

The matriculation ceremony was divided into two parts. As simplicity kicks in (as it is in this country), these two parts are simply called part I and part II. For the matriculation part II, it was just when everyone from the same faculty sitting quietly (and dressing casually) in an auditorium, while waiting for their names to be called for receipt of certificates. It was nothing interesting, except witnessing the head of faculty to shake hand and saying “good luck” for a few hundreds time.

The fun part of matriculation ceremony was, what else if not the part I. It was also in this part of the ceremony that makes me wonder the toleration’s limit of university in this institution.

It is not hard to imagine the fun. A huge stage in the middle of the field with thousands of audiences standing under the rare warm sun, and again, dressing commonly casual, and were accompanied by extremely entertaining performances. Still find it hard to imagine? How about a few “hot” guys dressing in tube-top and super tight hot pants, dancing in Pussycat Dolls’ remixed version of Don’t Cha?

Again, isn’t the toleration of Norwegian university is a bit excessive? But I have to agree that Trondheim is undoubtedly a very happening student city. Student activities are very active in this city. Want to know more what students do in Trondheim? Stay tuned in the future.

Back to matriculation ceremony (part I). Other than “hot dance”, there were also musical performances, musical drama and dancing, all performed by students. Of course, the inevitable ones were speeches from all the highest administrative officers. Provided that they spoke in English, otherwise I just shifted my attention to most elsewhere.

Event lasted for only 2 hours. Short and concise. Exactly! What is the p oint of asking everyone to sit in a hall waiting for a few hours for their turn to receive their certificate? Maybe institutions in Malaysia should consider such a lively event for graduation ceremony.

From left (click to enlarge):

Mascots? They are promoting student activities actually.

All the VIPs.

Pussycat Dolls, Male version.

One of the musical performances.

The audience. Doesn't this look like outdoor concert?