“To cross the finish line you need passion” Alex Zanardi at the Graduation Day

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On Friday July 21st, the Summer Graduation day of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice took place in St Mark’s Square celebrating the new 917 graduates.

Michele Bugliesi, Rector of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice opened the ceremony: “Today is a very special day for you in one of the most precious places in the world. These were important years you must treasure. It is a day to celebrate and take stock. These years were an opportunity to grow, you are now more mature. You have gained awareness. Your positions have a different weight now, directly proportional to the level of knowledge of whom expresses them: your views must be heard as experts and cultured people. It is important to let be appreciated and recognized through your path.
You have got this role now: treasure it. You have learned how to be curious and without curiosity you would not be here. You have invested a lot in these years and you are now beginning to reap the reward but tomorrow your new life begins. Ca’ Foscari will always be your house and we are very proud of you”.

On stage, Paolo Pellegrini, City counselor, who saluted the new graduates in name of the city of Venice and Pino Musolino the president of the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority.

The guest of honor of the graduation day was the athlete Alex Zanardi: “I thank all of you new graduates who are an inspiration to me. You are our future and our hope. I envy you a little bit: I am very lucky because I did many great things and I had many first times in my life but the starting point is always the greatest moment. Life is incredible and a friend once told me that life has more fantasy than us and it is absolutely true. Curiosity is key and makes things happen. Passion and ambition are important but passion gets you to cross the finish line. Kids, good luck with all my heart!”.

The two valedictorians, an Italian and a foreign student, spoke to their fellow new graduates on stage. Antonio Emanuele Cinà, the best Italian student, said: “It has not been an easy road, and we shared sleepless nights, angst but also many laughs. I am glad I found such exceptional people with whom I shared emotions and daily activities, having fun and developing our skills. I thank Ca’ Foscari for having enabled me to shape a dynamic mindset to tackle reality with an outstanding education and context that stimulated my interests”.

Yoshida Kotono, the best foreign student, added: “It is an honour to be here, in Venice, at the door to the East, where two cultures met. Exactly three years ago I decided to study computer science. I chose computer science because it provides you with a tool you can use around the world. I want to communicate with the world and for this reason I studied computer science. To me it means “openness” and this word sums up my experience at Ca’ Foscari, a university that offered us great opportunities for open mindedness”.

The event was organized thanks to the support of the City of Venice, Vela Spa and Veritas. We thank the Superintendence of Architectural Heritage and Landscape of Venice and its Lagoon.