HASS online graduation celebration

Hello and welcome
everyone to

your online graduation
celebration.

I am so incredibly
excited and

honored to be here
today as your MC.

My name is
Ashleigh Werner.

Before we begin
proceedings,

I would like
to acknowledge

the Gadigal people of

the Eora Nation upon whose

ancestral lands our
campus now stands.

I would also like
to pay respects to

the elders past,
present, and emerging.

It was just a couple
of years ago that I

graduated from UTS myself

and it's such an
honor to be back here

to celebrate other
UTS graduates.

Graduation is such a
special milestone.

This afternoon,
we celebrate

the achievements of
our UTS graduates from

2020 and 2021 from

the faculties
of law, design,

architecture,
and building,

transdisciplinary
innovation,

and my beloved faculties,

the Faculty of
Arts and Social

Sciences and the UTS
Business School.

We welcome the
many graduates

and their loved
ones joining us

online today from across

Australia and
further abroad.

I'd like to make
special mention of

those graduates joining
us from overseas,

including China, India,
Indonesia, Vietnam,

Thailand, Hong
Kong, Nepal,

the United States, Mexico,

Colombia, the
Philippines, Vanuatu,

South Korea, Fiji,
and much more.

While you cannot
be with us

in person at the moment,

we will continue
to count you as

important members of the
wider UTS community.

I graduated from UTS

with a Bachelor
of Business and

Bachelor of Arts in

International
Studies in 2019.

While studying, I
was also a part

of the elite athlete
program here,

playing rugby Sevens
for New South Wales,

and most recently
transitioned to

the cold icy
slopes of bobsleigh

as a driver for the
Australian women's team.

I remember submitting
my last assignment

like it was yesterday,

and I was in Lake Placid
in Upstate New York

preparing for a race sitting
in my hotel room.

I still remember
the giddy feeling

of pressing submit after

six long years of

hard work and all

leading up to
that one moment.

My time at UTS has

really helped shape
the person that I

am and continues to play

such an important
part in my life.

Not only have
I met some of

my closest friends
within these halls,

but my time at
the university

has helped shape my
view of the world,

my career, my future
opportunities in it.

UTS helped foster
a sense of

curiosity about
pushing my limits,

figuring out what I loved,

and always asking
more questions,

and having all
the answers.

That's something
that I truly

cherish and have taken

into both my
corporate life

and athletic career.

During my time here,
I was a member of

the UTS athlete program

and competed at the
University games.

I was involved in
many clubs and

societies as both
a member and on

committees and
really tried to take

advantage of as much of

the university
lifestyle as I could.

Since graduating, I've

maintained the
same passion for

involvement and have
thrown myself into

each and every opportunity

that has come my way,

an attitude that
was fostered

during my time
here at UTS.

As I mentioned,
I'm part of

the Australian
women's bobsleigh team

and have spent the better
part of each year,

both during my
studies and after them

traveling to
North America, Europe,

and most recently
at the start of

this year, South Korea,

competing and
training whilst at

the same time working

for a global
consulting firm.

I'm involved in
a group called

the Minerva Network that

aims to support
female athletes

in the corporate
world and offers

us mentoring
opportunities as well as

corporate
leadership training

and facilitation work.

Recently, I became
a founding member

of the UTS Young
Alumni Committee.

As I recognized how
much my time at UTS

has helped me in every
career path I've

chosen and cherished
the opportunity

to share my knowledge and

experience with
this community.

To me, UTS is

really about connection
and passions.

You've had the
opportunity to learn from

some of the best
academics in their field,

but mostly from some
of the best people.

You've had the opportunity

to explore, create,

and follow every and

any passion you
could think

of and have been

supported to make
your own path.

You've worked so hard

to be here and
you should be

so proud of what you have

achieved during
your studies.

Congratulations to each
and every one of you.

Today's event is
not replacing

the traditional
graduation ceremonies.

Rather, it is
an opportunity

for us to come together to

recognize nearly
18,000 graduates

whose graduation
ceremonies have been

postponed due to impacts
from the pandemic.

Sadly, 83 ceremonies have

been delayed over
the last 18 months,

but we look forward
to welcoming

graduates back
to campus again

from next month for

on-campus events and

COVID safe ceremonies
from July.

Today is about
coming together

as a community to mark

the start of
graduation season

and acknowledge

the achievements
of our graduates.

Over the next 30
minutes or so,

we'll hear from our
UTS senior leaders,

as well as a very
markable UTS alumna.

They will each be

offering their own
congratulations,

as well as reflecting
on what it means to be

a UTS graduate
and welcoming you

to the wider UTS
alumni community.

As I said, you have worked

so hard to be here and

you should be so proud
of what you have

achieved during
your studies.

Congratulations again

to every single
one of you.

But before we hear from
our speakers today,

we have a video
message from

UTS Vice-Chancellor and

President Professor
Attila Brungs.

>> To our recent
graduates,

congratulations on
finishing your studies.

I know just how hard
you worked to get here,

and we're all incredibly
proud to count

you as part of the
UTS community.

Now I realize
that some of you,

you've waited
a long time to

celebrate your graduation,

but we're delighted
to be able

to finally come together

today and recognize

your incredible
achievements.

In fact, you're taking
part in history.

This is UTS's first-ever
online graduation.

At UTS, we
encourage all of

our students to think of

themselves as
professionals from day 1.

But conversely,
as you graduate,

I want you to
stay a student

forever to continue

your thirst for knowledge,

for discovery, for

re-invention
and innovation.

The world is
rapidly changing.

However, with the skills

that you've learned
here at UTS,

coupled with an open mind

and a desire to learn,

I know you'll be able
to make the most of

any changes or challenges
that come your way.

Once again, on behalf of

everyone at UTS,
congratulations.

Congratulations on
graduating and all

the very best of luck
in your next endeavors.

>> I would now
like to introduce

our first speaker,

Provost and Senior Vice

President, Professor
Andrew Parfitt.

>> Thank you very
much. Good afternoon

to all of you who
are joining us

at this historic online
commemoration of

graduation in somewhat

different circumstances
to usual.

But just let
me also add at

the start of
these remarks,

my acknowledgment of
the Gadigal people

of the Eora Nation upon

whose lands this
campus stands

and pay respects to
elders past and present,

and those emerging
leaders who will

take us forward in

the spirit of
reconciliation.

We honor and recognize
their place as

part of the
oldest continuing

culture in the world.

I am delighted today to

congratulate all
of you who are

here virtually from
2020 and '21 Graduates,

Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences,

the Faculty of Law, the
UTS Business School,

the faculty of
design, architecture,

and building,
and the faculty

of transdisciplinary
innovation.

>> Finishing
university and

graduating is a
remarkable achievement,

and we know that every one

of you will have
worked hard

to have actually got to

this point in
your careers.

You and your peers now
become one of over

180,000 members of
our alumni community,

graduates from the
university who are

working across professions
in government,

in private enterprise,

in the community sector,

and many, many in

senior leadership roles
around the world.

As you go out
into the world

we look forward
to supporting and

engaging you as
you continue

to shape our
society's future.

As I said earlier, this is

a historic graduation
celebration.

It's the second online
graduation event

UTS has had, we had
one this morning.

I'm so pleased that we
can come together as

a community to acknowledge
and celebrate you.

While we're coming
together online,

I'd also like to

note that there
are people who are

joining us from all
across the world.

Like you-all, I was
disappointed that we

couldn't hold graduation

ceremonies last year.

For some of you,
you've waited a

long time to celebrate

graduation but we're
delighted to be able to

finally come
together today to

recognize your
incredible achievements.

I've graduated twice
from university.

The first time
was back in 1987,

quite a long time ago now,

and I'd have to say,

I can't remember very much

about the graduation
ceremony.

It might well be
because I've attended,

in my professional role,

over 300 graduation
ceremonies since then.

But I do know one thing
about graduations,

the important thing about

them is the stories
we all bring,

it's the achievements that

we all have pride in.

It's the accomplishments
that we've

made that we
actually reflect

on and as at any important
point in life,

it's important
to reflect on

your achievements and
be thankful for them,

be thankful for
the opportunity

and to commit to what
the future will bring.

It's also important,
of course,

to recognize the
contribution

that friends and family

and supporters have made

on the learning journey
that you've been on.

Even though we are

scattered around
the world,

we're in different places,

take a moment now,

later on this
afternoon to send

a message to your friends

and to your
family and say,

"I've just thought about
what I've achieved

over the last 3, 4,

5, years at
university,

and the role that
you've played

in it and thank you."

This is really
important as we move

forward now for the next
stage of the career.

We know that 2020 was
a difficult year,

2021 will be a
different year,

2022 and beyond will

bring all of the
challenges to

the world perhaps
like we haven't

seen for a very long time.

But it's your demonstrated
commitment and

dedication,
moving to online,

moving to new ways of

learning that
showed how adaptive

and resilient you can be

to make a real
difference in the world.

Your achievement
graduating is

even more significant
then as it

comes at the time when

the world really
needs those skills.

Graduating is an
achievement but it

also comes with

responsibilities
and obligations,

ethical and social
responsibilities,

responsibilities that
you will have to acquit.

Remember to do so,

remember to act
ethically and with

integrity in
everything you do.

At UTS we encourage

all the students to
think of themselves as

professional from day
1 and now I would

encourage you at the
end of your studies

to think of yourself
as a student for life.

Learning for life is

an absolutely
critical skill which

you will have
developed at UTS,

and as you continue
your learning journey

we hope that you
will continue to

engage with us and

so that we could
also learn from what

you're achieving and what

you're doing with
your careers.

You're now joining
a global community

of UTS alumni.

Make your mark
on the world,

make a difference and I

can't wait to see
what you accomplish.

On behalf of everyone
here at UTS,

congratulations and my

very best wishes
to you-all.

>> Thank you so much for
your words, Provost.

It's always incredible
being reminded of

the amazing
alumni community

we are fortunate enough
to be a part of.

It gives me great
pleasure to introduce

our next speaker,
Dr. Amanda White.

Dr. Amanda White is

a Senior Lecturer
and Deputy Head of

Education in the UTS

business school's accounting
discipline group.

While Amanda
started her career

in the private sector

working for
international companies

such as
Price Waterhouse Coopers,

her passion for teaching

inspired her to
move to academia.

She has been a full-time
academic here at

UTS for the past 18 years.

Amanda may be better
known to her

followers around the world

by her online handle,

Amanda Loves to Audit.

She started her
YouTube channel in

2012 and now has over
50,000 subscribers.

She has uploaded
almost 300 videos to

her channel which have

a combined four
million views.

Amanda's passion for

collaborative learning and

accessible
education shines

through in her videos.

She has received numerous

learning and
teaching awards from

UTS over the years

for her excellence
in teaching.

In 2017, she was
the recipient of

a citation for
outstanding contribution

to student learning by

the Australian government.

More recently, Amanda
White has been

named winner of

the prestigious 2020
Australian award for

university teaching
for teaching

excellence in
the category,

law, economics, business
and related studies.

This is the highest
teaching award

for this category
in Australia.

Amanda received
high praise

from the judges for
her dedication to

improving the student
learning experience

not only at UTS but

for students
around the world,

evidenced by her free

learning resources
on YouTube

and open access
to initiatives

around academic integrity.

Amanda was also
recognized for

her creative approach to

promoting academic
integrity,

including co-producing
the video short,

Carnival of
Consequences, as well as

co-creating the academic

integrity board game.

Amanda has a bachelor of

business with 1st
class honors from

UTS and a PhD

From the University
of New South Wales.

It is now my great
pleasure to welcome

our keynote speaker,
Dr. Amanda White.

>> Thank you
very much, Ash,

and on behalf of all
of the teaching and

professional staff
here at UTS,

congratulations.
Attending graduations

is one of my
favorite parts of

being an academic.

There's a real
excitement in

the air from the
recognition of

your achievements
and the anticipation

of what the future holds.

Now, UTS is in my blood.

I have spent 57 percent

of my life here
in some way,

shape or form and
I'm closing in

on almost two decades
at working at UTS.

In my very first year

someone told me that after

a few years I wouldn't

be bright-eyed
and bushy-tailed,

I'd be cynical and jaded.

After such a long time
as a teacher at UTS,

why am I probably
more enthusiastic

about my job now
than when I started?

Today I want to
share with you

my three top tips for
a rewarding future.

Now, I started in

a Big Four
accounting firm with

the goal that I
wanted to become

a partner and I
wanted to be rich.

Money was going to
be the solution

to finding happiness.

But I found out
it just wasn't.

My first tip is to
find your purpose.

Dan Pink, and you

can search for
him on YouTube,

talks about the
power of purpose,

the desire to do
something with

meaning and
that's important.

Purpose is what drives

me to answer the phone to

a student emergency at

9:00 PM on a Friday night,

to continue my own

professional learning
and development,

to answer Instagram
messages and

UTS confession posts

from students
needing help.

What happens if you're
graduating right

now and you haven't
nailed down your purpose?

Well, don't panic.

Remember, I thought
I had it all figured

out because when I started

my bachelor of business,

I was working
full time and

studying hard to
become a partner

and that life with

money and power was

going to be
what I enjoyed.

But boy was I wrong?

September 11th,
political machinations

inside the firm where I

worked and experiences

with consulting
clients made

me rethink my dream

of corporate
riches and power.

What good was lots
of money if I wasn't

helping to change
structural

inequalities that I saw?

I left the Big Four
for higher ed,

and it was an easy
shift in my purpose.

But it takes most of
us time and space and

experimentation to
figure out our purpose,

and it can be even
harder to change

direction when you feel

like that purpose
is uncertain.

>> I struggled through
a second shift in

my purpose at about

the 10-year mark
here at UTS.

I had changed careers

because I wanted
to help students

as a teacher and also as

a researcher in auditing.

But I just
couldn't get into

the research groove.

I completed my PhD,

but I just wasn't
emotionally

invested in an audit
research career.

I wasn't great at being
a standard academic.

I wanted to focus on

students and supporting
student learning,

but that just wasn't
what was expected of me.

What do you do when you
feel this conflict?

That brings me to
my second tip.

Give yourself the time
and space to reflect.

I had the thought that

if I was like Dory from

Finding Nemo and I
just kept swimming,

I'd eventually be able
to get the hang of

being a normal academic

spoiler alert.

I just couldn't conform to

the standard or
normal expectation.

Now, I've never actually

told anyone this publicly,

but it was receiving
a rating of

below expectations on
a performance review,

that was actually
the wake-up call

that pushed me to reflect.

It was my husband that used

that unpleasant jolt to

force me to hold a
mirror up to myself.

He pushed me to
ask what are

my strengths and what
are my weaknesses?

What parts of my job and

my life am I
emotionally invested in?

My most confronting
question was,

is my current job the

best to help me
achieve what I wanted?

We discussed what other

jobs and what other
industries might

match my purpose and

I almost left
higher education.

However, I was
lucky enough

to be able to
transform my role.

I cut a path as

the first education-focused
academic.

I think here at UTS and

certainly in the UTS
Business School.

Thanks to a new directive

from the Vice-Chancellor.

I was lucky enough
to change my job

to fit my purpose
and from there,

I just really
hit my stride.

The things I love doing

like supporting students,

innovating with
technology,

creating videos became
my primary role.

I had found
something better

suited to me than being
a standard academic.

Now since then, I've
received plenty of

awards and recognition for

my passion and my purpose.

But the best rewards

always come from
my students,

both through at
UTS, my teaching,

answering questions
on UTS confessions

and around the
world on YouTube.

Messages like: I passed

my exams or I've
got the job,

or I figured out
what I want to do,

provide me with a
hit of endorphins

that just drive
me to keep on

supporting students
every day.

I found my purpose
something meaningful to

me and my contribution
to the greater good.

My first tips were

about purpose
and reflection.

My third tip is to
find your tribe,

your squad, your crew,

and some of mine are
actually right out there

in the audience
on the other side

of the cameras today.

When others start to

question your purpose,
your passion,

that tribe can be
what helps you

stay the course when
things get tough.

When I first
started making

videos to support
student learning,

many thought I was mad.

Who would want to learn

anything from a video?

Why on earth would
you consider YouTube

a place to legitimately
learn anything?

My tribe consists of

people I know
in real life,

as well as those

I've connected
with virtually.

These are the people
that will celebrate

your successes and
more importantly,

who you can share
your struggles

and your failures with.

These are the people
that you can grow

with and make what I
call good trouble.

Finding your tribe can
be a bit hit and miss,

but keep putting
yourself out there.

To sum up, figure
out that purpose,

remember to reflect
and find your tribe.

We can't wait to see

how you shape your future.

Congratulations again.

>> Thank you so much,
Dr. Amanda White,

and thank you for sharing

your inspirational advice
without graduates,

purpose is definitely
a continuous

and lifelong adventure

and I can attest to that.

I think your advice

to connect with
what really drives

you giving yourself

breathing room
to take stock of

events and what
they mean for

you and of course,

finding your tribe of

like-minded
humans to share

your journey is such an

incredibly important
lesson to remember.

It's something that
certainly has had

such a profound influence

on my biggest
life decisions.

I've recently decided to

take a short career break

from consulting to focus

full-time on my
athletic career.

These were definitely
things I thought deeply

on daily and coming
to that decision.

If you haven't yet
seen her videos,

head to YouTube
right after this.

It's always so great to

hear about the
amazing things

other UTS alumni
are doing and the

positive difference

they're making
in this world.

As UTS alumni,
we are part of

a unique group we're game

changes, ambitious
and innovative.

As an alumna, I know that

I have joined the
ranks of some of

the most established and

passionate people
in the world.

I have gained new
perspective from being

involved in the UTS
alumni community

and have had the opportunity
to talk and meet

other UTS graduates
following

their passions and
incredible careers.

The depth and
variety of alumni we

have really sets
us apart and

the love for the
university and

the desire to
remain involved

after graduation
shows how special

this university is and the

lasting impact it
continues to have.

Remember, you are
automatically part of

the UTS alumni
community and it

opens up a world
of benefits

to help you build
your career,

access a lifetime of
learning, communicate,

and stay informed from

career services to help

you find your dream job,

exclusive events and
networking opportunities

with like-minded
alumni professionals,

support for your
startup venture

and so much more.

Make sure you continue to

stay connected
with UTS and

the alumni
community you are

now a valuable member of.

Now, before we
conclude proceedings,

I would like to welcome

the acting Deputy
Vice-Chancellor

and Vice President of
Corporate Services,

Dr. Christine Burns, to

share some final words
without graduates.

>> Thank you, Ashley,

and thank you to everyone

joining us online today.

I'd like to offer my

heartfelt congratulations

to today's graduates,

to their family and friends,

and to all who have helped

make their
achievements possible.

We know just how hard it

is and how hard
you have worked

to get here many of
you have balanced

your studies
with obligations

such as work and family.

Today is a great
opportunity

to celebrate your success.

I'm honored to be
taking part in

today's event and I

think I speak for
all staff at UTS,

when I say, it's

a great thrill to see
students graduating.

I'm particularly aware of

the significance of
graduation for students

and their families at
the moment as two of

my own children
have completed

university degrees in
the last 18 months.

We had to innovate with

our celebrations due to

COVID restrictions
but that

did not detract for

the joy at each of them

achieving this
important milestone.

Today we are celebrating

your achievements online,

but we're all
looking forward to

seeing as many of you
back on campus in

the near future as
possible whether that be

an on-campus
photo session or at

one of our COVID
safe ceremonies.

No matter how you
choose to celebrate,

graduation is a
significant part

of your student journey.

University and career
are not always

a linear journey and

can involve the
unexpected.

As Amanda's story
illustrates,

you may start
with the dream of

one career and
end up finding

a very different
passion that

takes you in a
different direction.

Graduation is a milestone.

It's not the end of
your learning journey.

No matter what you do

or where you are
in your journey,

you will always be a part

of the UTS community.

Even though you
are graduating,

I hope you can
always remain

curious and
continue to learn.

It's something
I've seen in

many UTS graduates and

it's this innovative
spirit of

our community
that continues to

ensure we're
contributing in

a positive way to society.

Before we finish
up this afternoon,

I'd like to
thank our MC Ashleigh,

for the wonderful
job that she has

done of leading us
through the proceedings.

Ashleigh is a valued member

of our alumni
community and

we appreciate your
ongoing involvement

with UTS.

We thank you for making

time to be with
us in this role

today when there are

so many other demands
on your time,

thinking amongst
other things

of your training and

also the work
that you're doing

with #I am remarkable.

I'd also like
to thank again

our extraordinary speaker,
Dr. Amanda White.

I know everyone will

agree that her
dedication and

passion for improving

the student learning
experience,

not only at UTS but
around the world,

is inspiring and
thought-provoking.

To finish on a
strong note,

UTS has created a video

to offer our
congratulations.

Sit back and enjoy
on behalf of

the entire UTS community
congratulations

and all the very
best for the future.

We look forward to
seeing you all again.

[MUSIC]

>> Congratulations,
you did it.

>> You've graduated.

>> We know you sacrificed

a lot to complete
your studies.

>> It requires dedication
and commitment.

>> As well as
endless support

from your loved ones.

>> You've shown
what you can do.

>> Even in the face
of many challenges.

>> You've made it.

>> Over the course
of your studies.

There have been
changes to the way

we live and work.

>> But you not
only survived.

>> You thrived.

>> You should be so
proud of your success.

>> We're excited
to celebrate

you and your achievements.

>> Your strengths
and resilience.

>> Has been nothing
short of inspirational.

>> Now it's time
to celebrate.

>> From all of
us here at UTS.

>> Congratulations.

>> Congratulations.

>> [FOREIGN]
Congratulations. [FOREIGN].

>> Congratulations.

>> Congratulations, too deadly

>> Congratulations

[MUSIC]