You know, there is a certain timeless quality in seeing the rows of proud individuals about to proceed down the aisle today. Graduates, let's take a moment to honour all those who made it possible for you to be here today. Every graduate has followed his or her own distinct path to arrive at this destination. However, you all have one thing in common today. You are all about to become university graduates.
Education truly is a great equalizer.
It doesn't matter who you are or where you are from, it doesn't check your personal or family background, and doesn't care on what side of the tracks you live. For some of you, today represents one step in a long-term plan. For others, it represents the achievement of a goal once thought beyond reach, which you have earned as a result of great effort and real sacrifice by you and your families. Whatever you may do from this point on, you have joined the ranks of that small portion of the world's population who have successfully met the rigours and demands of a university education. You are, in consequence, among the best educated people on earth.