“You are graduating from a unique university,” said Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, to a packed auditorium as Guest of Honour at SMU Commencement 2016. He commented that “Experimentation is in the DNA of SMU”, and the university has been a pioneer for new practices in the university sector. He added that adjectives commonly used by employers to describe SMU graduates are “confident”, “articulate”, socially savvy” and “street smart”. But in today’s hyper-competitive world, you have to differentiate yourself. "You have to make yourself different. Don't settle to be a cookie-cutter graduate… SMU has brought you this far. The rest is up to you.”

Guest of Honour, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence.

The euphoric 6,500-strong crowd numbered more than 2,600 degree graduates – SMU's largest graduating class – together with their proud family members and friends. Graduates included 1,806 Bachelor’s degree graduates, 39 Juris Doctor graduates, 798 Master’s degree graduates and 20 doctorate degree graduates.

The ceremony was aptly themed “journeys”, as it marked the end of four years of study for the majority of the graduates and the start of the next passage of their lives in the wider world. True to SMU's culture of being a Different U, the ceremony featured dazzling performances choreographed and performed by members of the graduating cohort in Indancity, SMU Eurhythmix, SMU Caderas Latinas and Samba Masala co-curricular activity (CCA) clubs. Several poignant videos also gave everyone a glimpse of the graduates' journeys through SMU.

Graduate members of Indancity, SMU Eurhythmix, SMU Caderas Latinas and Samba Masala CCA clubs thrilled their peers and guests with sizzling performances.

Family members enjoying a graduation with a difference.

The Commencement ceremony was officially opened by SMU Chairman, Mr Ho Kwon Ping. During his welcome address Mr Ho reminded the graduating class, “Your privileged position as an SMU graduate compels you towards a responsibility to shape the Singapore you will live and prosper in. Civil society in Singapore will become increasingly important in the collective governance of this nation, and whatever your chosen vocation, you can play a meaningful role in the many voices which make up civil society.”

SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, reiterated Mr Ho’s point, referring to the recent “Brexit” vote in the UK. He said, “The future is yours to shape – and as members of the younger generation in the UK have recently discovered in the EU membership referendum, if you do not speak out and play an active role, you may not like the consequences.” He urged the graduates to “put all that you have learned and experienced to good use – for the sake of yourselves and others.”

Mr Ong taking a selfie with Mr Ho and Prof De Meyer before the ceremony.

This year, Yeo Qian Ling, Sharon, from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business was named the SPH Valedictorian, and Lim Yi Sheng from the School of Information Systems was named the SPH Magazines Salutatorian. Both stood out with their outstanding leadership skills, significant contributions to co-curricular activities and the community-at-large, good character records, excellent oratorical skills and excellent academic results (both achieved Summa Cum Laude). Both of them also displayed a strong entrepreneur spirit – Sharon has established a start-up business with a subsidiary, and Yi Sheng is currently helping a start-up.

Yeo Qian Ling, Sharon was named the SPH Valedictorian.

SIS graduate Thandar Wai Myint with her mother, Mrs Yi Yi Myint, and uncle Mr Tun Zaw Win .

Watch videos and see more photos of Commencement 2016 here.

As a cascade of balloons floated down from the ceiling, graduates cheered and roared with laughter.

A proud moment shared and captured for the family album.