 Thank you Graduates a new word Distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen It is a pleasure to be with you all today as we celebrate the achievements of so our students and pay tribute to the support of family and friends Graduation is always a special time We all regret that our president Dame Grasse-Machal is not unable to be with us this year But this gives me a wonderful opportunity to be a part of you to be part of the ceremony again on this occasion So as is one of the finest universities in the world Truly global in scope and reach with its distinct specializations in the knowledge of Asia Africa and the Middle East So as offers a truly distinctive opportunity for students and academic staff to experience on a daily basis the interaction connectivity exposure, which is a microcosm of today's world For more than a hundred years So has so has has been at the forefront of specialist scholarship on languages culture society politics and economics of Asia Africa and the Middle East It is rare to find a place with such rich diversity of cultures and backgrounds and where learning and critical thinking up are nurtured and enhanced What makes so as particularly special is its global perspective Our world needs people who could build bridges across communities and cultures and make a real difference Whatever path you choose. I would say don't be afraid to continue to reach out for guidance Your tutors have already so expertly taken you thus far But there will be many many encounters with other people and indeed challenges whereby you will require advice and a guiding influence I Have been incredibly lucky in that I've been I've had amazing support from key individuals throughout my life an entire career From the first person to encourage me to look at design and art and architecture Rather than to go into the sciences like my brothers who are above me who I wanted to be like To my degree to my degree teacher a wonderful man called Peter Allison who works with me to this day His thoughts and intellects have been and are still a constant presence for me also In the last decade my industry colleagues have been an incredible stable hand Great architects like Richard Rogers sir, Richard Lord Rogers has been an incredibly influential person on my career He's been there when I have had issues that have absolutely terrified me and Caused me to be incredibly concerned about whether I should stay stay in my industry Other people were important architects like Eduardo Su tomorrow the Pritzker prides winning architect whom I worked with in my early years He was deeply influential in me starting my own business and in allowing me to gain confidence He was generous when we would go to sites He would talk to me and he would talk about this idea of expressing one's thoughts and ideas in the world He would use a very simple device of taking me into the context that he was in And he would tell me that this is the this is the this is the arena This is the space at which one would express oneself the context is everything 20 years on I reflect on these moments and I realize how profound these guiding moments have been These people gave me the confidence to be who I am now and my family and my loved ones Finally what I've learned for my years in practice and this sentiment should resonate to all the chosen paths that you are taking Architecture is something that should never be practiced in a vacuum is what I tell my students and my staff that I work with and It is something that would urge you to take with you that you should work within the context of the world that you're in So my final advice to you is be inquisitive and engaged Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and learn about the context in which you're in Use your imagination and ultimately and most importantly, please find your voice Congratulations to each of you and every one of our graduates You will always be a part of so as and so as will always be a part of you