August 4^th, 2012 will leave long in the memories of the 2011 Fall students as it was the day their completion ceremony was held. The Ambassador Hall was a hive of activity as friends, faculty, well-wishers, and the completing students gathered to be conferred their completion certificates.

In total, thirty-four students were awarded the completion certificates in a fitting finale to a year spent at the KDI School, learning not only the courses offered by the School but different aspects of Korean life and culture as well. They had been through the blistering cold of the winter, the awe-inspiring beauty of the spring and the frustrating heat and humidity of the summer. They had persevered through all and this day belonged to them.

The ceremony began with Dean Nam making his congratulatory address to the completing students. He acknowledged their hard work during their time as students at the KDI School but stressed that greater engagements will await them when they return home. He indicated that their education would be in vain if they did not implement the things they learnt to make a better world as the leaders of next generation.

Mr. Anthony Park (MPP, Russia) gave the salutatory address on behalf of the completing students. In his impressive address that drew several rounds of applause, he stressed that working together and using the newly acquired skills, everyone could help make the world a better place, and encouraged his fellow students to follow their dreams and never settle for anything less. He was convinced that with perseverance and hard work, there could be no limits to what we could achieve.

Mr. Park was also the recipient of a special award for academic excellence. The other individual award went to Mr. Abdul Baloch Gafour (MPP, Pakistan) for his community service.

I asked Mr. Albert Neba Chindikani (MPP, Malawi), one of the completing students, about his thoughts on the occasion. He went on the record stating his appreciation of the depth of the programs at the KDI School as well as the first-class faculty. He was unequivocal in asserting that he had learnt many things that could only help him be of better service to his country.

It is a view shared by the Globe as we wish all the completing students success in their career. Indeed, the end of one journey is the beginning of another.

By Keith Hamusute (2012 MPP, Zambia)