In the solemn atmosphere of the 2024 Graduation Ceremony at Tan Tao University, Mrs. Tolabase Apata – an Inspirational Speaker and Poet (from Illinois, Chicago, USA) – delivered meaningful remarks to 62 new doctors and graduates. With a powerful message about aspiration and responsibility, her speech not only marked a significant milestone in the careers of the graduates but also inspired them for the journey ahead.
Tan Tao University is honored to present the full speech from this special event:
“Greetings to all of you and your families, the wonderful staff of Tan Tao University, esteemed alumni, and the diligent Class of 2024! I am truly honored to be here with all of you and to be one of the voices contributing to the joy of your graduation day. I want to start by congratulating you on completing the challenging yet rewarding journey in the field of Medicine. Starting a journey is simple, but completing it requires perseverance and dedication, which I believe each of you has successfully demonstrated.
Take a moment to take pride in your accomplishments and look forward with excitement to the wonderful things to come. As I understand, the lotus is the national flower of Vietnam. Doesn’t the lotus also symbolize faith in tomorrow? At night, it closes its petals as if hiding, but in the early morning, it blooms proudly, facing the world. What is faith in the future? It’s the patience to overcome today’s challenges to embrace tomorrow’s rewards. It’s the balance between rest and action. Faith in the future, like the lotus, will be a valuable quality in the medical field.
In the moments when your patients feel hopeless because of a diagnosis, they will look to you for hope. Your belief in a brighter future can inspire them. Although it may not change the outcome, your positivity can help patients view the future more optimistically. When I look at the crowd of passionate young doctors before me, I see a future that is not only bright but also full of opportunities for innovation.
Empathy, understanding, and solidarity are all precious remedies that should be provided freely to everyone. As you embark on your own journey, trust in the knowledge and skills you have gained from this wonderful university. Don’t forget the values and culture of lifelong learning, leadership, respect, and social responsibility that Tan Tao University has instilled in you. Reflect on the valuable lessons from your past environment and how they have equipped you to face the future.
While travel is beneficial, don’t fear the quiet and silent moments in life. Those moments are when we cultivate patience. There is a Vietnamese proverb that says, “Patience is the mother of success.” Patience helps us understand that life is experienced moving forward, but it is better understood when looking back. When we can delay gratification, we can hold on to joy for a longer time.
I want to remind all of you of Gandhi’s teaching: “The greatest traveler is not the one who has been around the world, but the one who has discovered themselves.” As you begin this promising new journey, take time to understand yourself. Explore the depths within your soul. Dive into the valleys of fear and ascend to the peaks of your dreams. Set off on a journey of self-discovery, and you will be amazed by the beautiful sights you will encounter. The wonderful thing about travel is that sometimes it can be free. With just a simple conversation with another person, you can discover new worlds without going far or spending a penny. Don’t underestimate the value of travel that happens in the mind.
This field demands a lot, and many people often get caught up in their careers. When you have deeply explored yourself, you will recognize the boundaries between you as a person and you as a doctor. I believe that the best doctors are those who listen to the souls of their patients. As you enter their lives, they will share with you their pain, habits, and how they have found healing. These insights can be extremely valuable in patient care planning and can positively affect outcomes. There are some things that sincere conversations will reveal, that diagnostic labs cannot. Some of the best cures do not come from a bottle.
As we wait, we can savor victory. Like the lotus, when we are patient, we demonstrate faith in the future. Like the lotus, we can rise from hardship. Like the lotus, we are creatures destined to bloom again and again. Class of 2024, as you step out of this room today, I want you to leave with confidence in your ability to achieve the things in your dreams. Above all, remember that the sky is only just beginning and is not the limit.
Mrs. Tolabase Apata
Inspirational Speaker and Poet (Illinois, Chicago, USA)
In front of the new graduates and their families on this 2024 graduation day, Mrs. Tolabase Apata shared profound insights. Her speech not only inspired reflection on the meaningful learning journey but also served as a powerful reminder of the great responsibility and noble mission of every young person. By dedicating themselves to society and striving toward noble values, today’s new graduates are not only transforming themselves but also contributing to building a brighter future for the community and future generations.
