Graduation Ceremony for the 2009 Master in Imagineering class

On Friday November 20th the 2008-2009 Master in Imagineering class graduated at an event with the theme of identity. Due to their individual transformation over the course of the past year, each graduate was invited to receive a new identity document – a new passport issued by the Academy of Imagineering. The graduation event was thus transformed into a customs transit space, where identity was checked at the borders and explored in the middle.

At the entrance of the graduation reception there were customs officers requiring guests to identify themselves by placing an ink fingerprint on the special “visitor passes” that they received with their invitations. After the coffee and pastries reception, the ceremony began with opening speeches from Course Director Menno Jansen and Prof. of Imagineering Diane Nijs. Following them was guest speaker Kaj Morel, who is developing the field of identity marketing. Using his own identity as an example, Kaj Morel described to the graduates the process of questioning and finding answers that leads an individual to building their significance in the world, much like the process a company would go through to find its corporate identity.

 

During the handing out of the diplomas, each coach gave a personal speech about their student, drawing upon the year during which they were in a close mentoring relationship. The speeches sometimes went to unexpected places, including mindmaps, co-creation and quotes. After signing their diploma, every graduate got an Imagineering “Exit Visa” in their passport. They then got to see a short personal video in which their classmates shared their memories and thoughts of that person in the space of a few minutes.

 

The evening ended with drinks and celebrations, much to the delight of the Imagineering Academy. The graduation also added another accomplished project in the portfolio of the NHTV Expertise Centre Event Management student company, who were the organisers of the event.

 

To see photos from the evening, go to the photo album.

 

The world can now expect a new harvest of imagineers in the work field, transforming companies in their wake. Congratulations to all the graduates!