259 new graduates from the DFA/ASP

SUPSI Article Header

The graduation ceremonies for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Continuing Education degrees from SUPSI’s Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education (DFA/ASP) took place from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 June at the PalaCinema in Locarno. It was a celebratory occasion marking the achievement of an important milestone for 259 new graduates.

This is a significant occasion, marking a decisive moment in life – first and foremost for the new graduates, who, by obtaining their degree, have achieved an important professional milestone, but also for the colleagues who have supported and guided them on their educational journey thus far.

Graduation ceremonies also provide a special opportunity for collective reflection on the role of teachers, on schools today, and on those of tomorrow. The debate surrounding education is a central and fundamental one, and SUPSI’s Director-General, Franco Gervasoni, invited the new graduates to take part in it, making their voices heard, voicing their concerns but also expressing their pride in recounting what their university experience at SUPSI has meant to them so far – a milestone that, for some, may continue into the future through further study.

A milestone which State Councillor Marina Carobbio Guscetti described as belonging not only to the new graduates but also to the Ticino education system as a whole, which, to remain competitive and maintain high standards, needs well-trained, competent and motivated teachers.

And whilst this has long been true and well established, it is even more so today, as the new Director of the DFA/ASP Daniela Willi-Piezzi emphasised, in a complex, fast-paced society where it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between a mere opinion and knowledge grounded in study, research and patience. The DFA/ASP Director urged the new graduates to put this quality into practice, to teach their pupils to live with uncertainty, resisting the temptation to seek immediate answers, and to observe them not merely from a performance-based perspective, but through a broader lens.

Finally, an invitation to set out from here, with their diplomas in hand and the awareness and pride of possessing a wealth of knowledge and experience, enabling them to pursue with passion what is and remains ‘the most wonderful profession in the world’.

During the three evenings of ceremonies, speeches were also given by the Heads of the degree programmes, the President of SUPSI Giovanni Merlini, SUPSI’s Director of Research, Continuing Education, Development and Knowledge Transfer, Alberto Piatti, the Mayor of the City of Locarno, Nicola Pini, the Councillor and Head of the Security Department for the City of Locarno, Elena Zaccheo, and the Director of the Schools Division and DECS Coordinator, Emanuele Berger.

Diploma Presentation

During the ceremonies, diplomas were awarded to 259 students who had completed various Bachelor’s and Master of Arts programmes, in addition to diplomas awarded to professionals who had undertaken continuing education courses:

  • 85 Bachelor in Pre-Primary Education and Primary Education
  • 46 Master in Secondary Education
  • 13 Master of Arts in Mathematics Education
  • 1 Master of Arts in Italian Language Teaching
  • 114 CAS and DAS diplomas in Continuing Education

The ceremonies were enhanced by the talented voice of Alina Panozzo, a young singer from Ticino who entertained the audience at the PalaCinema with international pop songs.

Congratulations to all the new graduates! May this important milestone serve as a valuable springboard for a brilliant future, rich in opportunities for growth, both professional and personal.

Hidden Widget