Arman Ali Ghodsinia,/PHOTO from UP Diliman Facebook page
First published: 8:11 p.m., June 19, 2017
An Iskolar ng Bayan from Marawi City will deliver the valedictory address during the commencement exercises of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman on Sunday.
UP Diliman has confirmed that Arman Ali Ghodsinia, who is graduating summa cum laude with a degree in molecular biology and biotechnology (MBB) from UP College of Science, will speak on behalf of his fellow graduates during the state university’s 106th general commencement exercises.
With a general weighted average of 1.176, Ghodsinia also finished at the top of his MBB class.
UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan called Ghodsinia’s valedictory speech the best among the competition pieces submitted by 12 other summa cum laude graduates.
“I am so happy we have him to give the valedictory [address],” Tan said in a text message to the Inquirer.
“We did not select him simply because he was from Marawi. But there is such power in his being speaker in behalf of the students,” he added.
With the graduation ceremony just a day before Eid al- Fitr, Tan said Ghodsinia’s speech would have “so much symbolism and reasons for hope.” /AC/atm