Almost 600 students from the Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo in Burkina Faso have celebrated their graduation in language science. The students, part of the 2023 promotion, completed their three-year undergraduate degree. They are now equipped to apply their knowledge in research, transmission, and valorization of languages. The promotion, named "Résilience," aims to provide a pool of skilled professionals to support the country's efforts in promoting national languages.
The students, who started with nearly 700, have worked hard to reach this milestone. Their journey was marked by challenges, but they persevered and remained resilient. To commemorate the occasion, they organized a ceremony that included a conference, cake cutting, and a visit to the Thomas Sankara Memorial. The event was attended by the students' families, friends, and university officials.
The ceremony's guest of honor, Pr Awa Tiendrébéogo, a professor of language science and secretary permanent chargé de la promotion des langues nationales, emphasized the significance of this milestone. She sees the graduates as a valuable resource for promoting and valorizing the country's linguistic heritage. According to her, their training is part of a broader effort to transform mentalities through language valorization.
The director adjoint of the UFR Lettres, Arts et Communication, Dr Tirogo Issoufou Kaboré, highlighted the efforts made by the university to support the students in completing their degree within three years. The students had to adapt to a new academic calendar, which required significant mobilization from teachers and administration. Dr Kaboré praised the students' resilience and the efforts of everyone involved in their academic journey.
The graduates expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to their teachers, administrators, and peers. Liliane Flora Sawadogo, president of the organizing committee, acknowledged the challenges they faced but emphasized the importance of solidarity and resilience. Emmanuel Zoungrana, another graduate, described the experience as marked by highs and lows but ultimately rewarding.
The head of the language science department, Dr Issaka Sawadogo, congratulated the graduates on their achievement and encouraged them to make the most of their degree. He emphasized the importance of their role in promoting and documenting languages. The graduates' achievement opens up new perspectives for them to apply their skills in a field where language knowledge and transmission are crucial.
The celebration marked not only the end of an academic journey but also the beginning of a new chapter for these graduates. They are now part of a larger effort to promote and valorize languages in Burkina Faso. The university's efforts to support the students in their academic journey have paid off, and the graduates are well-equipped to make a positive impact in their field.
Key points
- The graduates are now part of a larger effort to promote and valorize languages in Burkina Faso.
