Paris Graduate School is proud to celebrate one of the most meaningful moments in academic life: graduation day. This year, the IKI PGS Class of 2026 marked the end of their studies with a graduation ceremony held at the Institut Français d’Athènes, surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and distinguished guests.
As the Facebook post announcing the day put it: tassels turned, diplomas earned, futures bright. It’s a simple line, but it captures exactly what the evening was about — years of hard work crossing the finish line, and a new chapter about to begin.
A Ceremony Rich in Tradition
The evening followed a full and carefully arranged program, opening with the arrival and registration of graduates before the formal processional at 6:00 PM, set to the traditional strains of Pomp and Circumstance. From there, the ceremony moved through a sequence of moments that gave real weight to the occasion.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Matina Chronopoulou, Director of the Naturopathy Department, on behalf of the Principal, Dr. Souha Akiki Svahn. Guests then heard from two distinguished speakers: Mrs. Liana Scourlis, Excellence Diplomat and President of the Maria Callas Association, and Mr. George Papas, Deputy Mayor of Palaio Faliro, Athens — both offering words of encouragement to the graduating class as they step into their professional futures.
Honoring Every Graduate
The heart of the ceremony was, of course, the presentation of graduates and the awarding of certificates, diplomas, and degrees. The Class of 2026 represents an impressively international and multidisciplinary group, including graduates in:
- Bachelor of Science in Unani Tibb Medicine, awarded to Anastasia Christou, Evangelia Geronymaki, Jasminka Grbovic, Eirini Kapetanaki, Anastasia Machaira, Antonios Mandarakas, and Thoukididis Papadopoulos (Greece)
- Master of Business Administration, awarded to Youssef Abi Samra (Lebanon), Jerome Peterson (USA), and Gerasimos Tsarkos (Greece)
- Master of Arts, awarded to Ms. Anita Khoueiry (Lebanon)
- Master of Science, awarded to Haifaa Ben Alhaj (Libya)
- PhD in Interdepartmental Studies, awarded to Cindy Ong Pik Yin (Malaysia), Daniel El Khoury (France), Dr. Raed Farhat (Lebanon), Dr. Mohamad Kobrosly (Lebanon), Dr. Mohamad Moussa Issa (Lebanon), François Nabhan (Lebanon), and Youssef Salloum (Lebanon), as well as Irfanullah Yar (Canada)
The ceremony continued with special awards and recognitions, followed by a graduate representative speech — a moment for the students themselves to reflect on their shared journey — before closing remarks brought the formal program to a close, ahead of the recessional and the departure of graduates and dignitaries.
Go Make Us Proud
Every graduation is different, but the feeling is always the same: pride, relief, gratitude, and excitement for what comes next. The IKI PGS Class of 2026 now joins a growing community of graduates from Greece, Lebanon, the United States, Malaysia, France, Libya, and Canada — proof of just how international this cohort, and this institution, truly is.
To every graduate who crossed that stage in Athens: congratulations. You’ve earned this moment. Go make us proud — we know you will.
