It was with great joy and honor that the 28th Graduation Ceremony of IST College took place on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the iconic venue of the “HERMES” Amphitheater of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). The choice of this particular venue was far from coincidental, as the ACCI is the leading representative of the professional world and the business community, symbolizing the transition of graduates into the professional arena.
The new graduates, from the Departments of Business and Economic Sciences, Tourism & Hospitality, Computer Science & Informatics, Humanities, and Psychology, successfully completed their academic journey through programs from partner institutions such as Wrexham University, Catholic University of Lyon, College de Paris, and IDRAC Business School. During the ceremony, the graduates received their diplomas amidst an atmosphere of emotion and warm applause, ready to contribute to the modern challenges of society and the job market.
The event was honored by the presence of the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance of Greece, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, who addressed a heartfelt greeting to the graduates and their families and mentioned, among other things: “… Graduation is the day when academic success intersects with the next day of professional life, a path filled with both difficult and pleasant moments which I encourage them to always embrace with courage and without fear.” Also, Mrs. Sofia – Kounenaki Efthaimoglou, Vice President of the ACCI, warmly welcomed the graduates and congratulated them for their dedication in achieving this significant academic distinction.
A particularly honorable presence was that of the Minister for Social Cohesion and Family, Mrs. Sofia Zacharaki, who, among other things, emphasized the trust society places in both public and private education. She referred to the ACCI, with which IST College maintains strong ties, as well as its contribution to female and youth entrepreneurship, which holds great value today. She also encouraged the graduates to be ready for change, to remain flexible, and to adapt to any environment in their future career, as this would crucially contribute to their success.
Among the academic representatives of the partner institutions and distinguished guests who honored the event, was Mr. Guillaume Finck, Founder and Vice President of College de Paris, who thanked the representatives of College de Paris worldwide who attended IST College’s graduation and stated that education connects people with strong bonds, and College de Paris has become their second home as it has branches around the world. Also present were Mr. Daniel Roura, General Director of College de Paris International, Mr. Konstantinos Papachristoforou, Consultant and Culture Ambassador of Ella Resorts, and Mr. Konstantinos Soldatos, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at EKPA, who was honored as an Honorary Doctor for his immense contribution to education and science by the President of City Paris University, Dr. Alaric Naude.
Mrs. Neni Douka, Head of the Educational Program of Axion Hellas, referring to the completion of studies by Tourism graduate Gabriel Spyrou, spoke about the scholarships IST College offered to Axion Hellas and the importance of supporting young people from remote areas of Greece, as she mentioned that it would be very difficult, even impossible, for a young person from a distant area to make their dream come true. She also mentioned that the College’s support offers great educational and development opportunities to young people and to the areas they come from, as graduates will return to their hometowns and benefit them by applying the academic knowledge and skills they gained during their studies.
The Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel of Astypalaia supported this specific scholarship through the KallichoronRoom2Give program and also offered the opportunity for an internship.
The General Director of IST College, Mrs. Daphne Fountoukakou, delivered an emotional speech to the graduates, emphasizing the importance of education as a life investment and the value of contributing to society. She referred to her own experience with Axion Hellas, underlining how participation in activities outside of our “comfort zone” helps us discover our strengths and offer meaningful help to those in need. Encouraging the graduates to continue with courage and confidence, she stressed the importance of authenticity, collaboration, and a positive mindset in their professional and personal journey. In closing, she thanked the representatives of the partner universities, the distinguished guests, and the graduates for their hard work, reminding them that “success is a choice that everyone defines for themselves!” She reminded the new graduates that the diploma they just received from the partner foreign universities is an “international passport,” encouraging them to make the most of it and wishing them an “amazing career!”
In his speech, the graduate Mr. Tassos Simitzis sent a powerful message of self-confidence and perseverance, responding to those who question the power of will and dreams. “… If anyone thinks that it didn’t make sense for us to return to the classroom at 40 or 50 years old, today’s event is our answer,” he said. He also referred to the importance of knowledge as a unique, liberating journey, full of challenges but also deep meaning. He thanked the professors who inspired them to follow the path of continuous learning and development, emphasizing that “… we chose a life outside our comfort zone to live a life full of meaning.”
IST College expresses its pride and feels a special honor for its graduates, recognizing their commitment to academic excellence and their contribution to the dynamic development of the educational community.
Congratulations to all the graduates for this great achievement!
The graduation ceremony concluded with a celebratory cocktail in the foyer of the Amphitheater, where graduates, professors, administrative staff, and distinguished guests had the opportunity to network, converse, and capture this unique day in commemorative photos, creating valuable memories.
