The Vote of Thanks

I'm putting this up for some people who requested me to do so...

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Ladies and Gentlemen…

As the curtain falls on yet another memorable event at APIIT, the institution which made us change from students fighting deadlines to professionals ready to face competition in our respective fields, my heart is heavy and my mind runs down the memory lane.

Our freshmen year at APIIT, the syndicate rooms, parties, debates, charity work, matches and music are milestones which have all contributed towards making us useful citizens and well trained professionals of this country. We leave them behind and enter a world of competition perhaps to get lost in the corporate battle field and never to meet some again. Some will be entrepreneurs as we have already seen, some will be corporate VIPs, and others will be academics and researchers. No matter where they will be they will shine because of APIIT.

The end of one marks the beginning of another.

When we are at the threshold of our professional lives after the convocation this evening, it gives me immense pleasure to express the heartfelt appreciation of the graduates of 2004, to all those who made this day a reality unique and memorable.

Our Chief Guest, Professor Mendis, we are indeed thankful for your presence here and for a very inspiring address given by you, sir. Your words of encouragement will undoubtedly motivate us to reach for greater heights.

Professor Peter Reynolds - Director of the International Office, Staffordshire University has honoured all of us by gracing this occasion despite his busy schedule. I thank you for being with us today and sharing our joy.
Ms. Liz Hathaway -Faculty Head of Partnerships, and Mr Glyn James - Faculty Partnerships Administrator, both of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology, Staffordshire University, thank you for being a part of our convocation. Hope you will have an opportunity to enjoy our sunny beaches and some traditional curry while you are here.
APIIT Malaysia which I had the good fortune to visit a few months ago, has always been a source of encouragement and support to all of us staff and undergraduates alike, and today I’d like to extend our thanks to Mr. Gurpardeep Singh of APIIT Malaysia for being here for us. I also extend a special thank you to Dr. Parmjit Singh, Managing Director of APIIT Malaysia though he is unable to be with us this evening.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Now I reach closer home.

There is a special group of pioneering personalities whom I wish to thank, this evening. They have worked quietly behind the scenes providing us with the opportunity and the environment to acquire knowledge to suit the demands of the 21st century. APIIT Lanka has become the benchmark for standards and facilities for undergraduate education in Sri Lanka because of their vision, dedication and commitment.

Ladies and gentlemen lets give a big hand to Mr Osman Kasim, Chairman of APIIT Lanka, Mr. Aboo Yusoof and all other Directors of APIIT Lanka, our former CEO Dr. Ifthikar Ismail and the present CEO Dr. Pitigala-Arachchi, for providing us this opportunity for excellence.

A very special thank you to Mr. Rakitha Wickramaratne, a key figure of the Alumni for all the assistance rendered. Industry representatives and well wishers we thank you all for your presence to make this day truly memorable.

My fellow graduates, we are today the proud owners of a degree. It is a privilege to have our degrees awarded by the prestigious Staffordshire University. This could not have been possible without the hard work of our dedicated team of lecturers, administrative and support staff.

Academic members of the faculty, you have certainly done proud the noble profession. Your deadlines, dedication and attention to detail seemed like the rock of Gibraltar then. All the sweat and tears have borne fruit and we hope that we did you proud too. Thank you my dear lecturers and each and every member of the non academic staff for your care and dedication for teaching us to face the real world with competence as well as confidence.

This evening I wish to pay a special tribute to an angel among us. She received her degree posthumously. On behalf of the family of APIIT we pray that she reaches the highest level of heaven and that the earth rest lightly upon her. I refer to none other than Pariza Jaliel who left us so suddenly and so young. Mr. and Ms. Jaliel, your grief is ours too. She will remain evergreen in our hearts throughout our lives. Though words are no consolation, our prayers are always for her.

Finally my dear friends I wish to dedicate my career and thank some people for whom our success will always mean much more than what it is to us. Thank you my dear parents and all other parents, our brothers and sisters whose tears of joy will flood this auditorium today. Our achievements would not have been possible if not for the love, care, understanding and sacrifices made by our parents and the family in order to give us the opportunity to read for a degree at APIIT. We will not fail in living up to your expectations. APIIT has taught us that.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I also wish to thank many others who’s names are too numerous to mention but have contributed in many ways to make the events of this evening a success. Forgive me if I have missed out any of your names in spite of making tremendous contributions to our achievements. It is not intentional. Thank you one and all once again for all kinds of everything and much more.

Congratulations and good luck to the graduates of 2004!

God bless.

Good Night to all of you!

With the help of my beloved dad!