More on Graduation

Today I learned more on graduation. It extends over 4 days - one school graduates in the morning and one in the afternoon of each day. Each graduate is recognized and as s/he comes forward her/his curriculum vita is flashed on a screen. This is one cultural opportunity I am glad I can skip. I was talking to a colleague who pointed out that the dean has to go to all 8 graduations and sit on the stage - no opportunity to read, do crosswords, or even fidget.

Apparently 6000 students are graduating and given the size of the typical Malaysian family (4 or 5 children seems to be the norm) I can see why the tents with food and diversions are all over campus. The food options on the streets outside the campus would quickly disappear. The "odd" things like the teddy bear boutique are to buy graduation mementos for the graduates - I guess very few get cars.