Written by Mark Lauren Baliton
The School of Engineering and Architecture conducted its 2nd Hard Hatting Ceremony last September 14, 2024. In the professional field, a hard hatting ceremony usually signifies the start of a construction project, but for students, it has a deeper meaning. The students’ Hard Hatting Ceremony serves as a send off for student trainees or on the job trainees (OJT), and marks their first step as they embark on their professional experience. This day celebrates the final part of their academic careers for the field of civil engineering.
Sixty-three (63*) students proudly marched and received their hard hats. With 59 of them being Civil Engineering students, 3 Sanitary Engineering students, and 1 BET-Mecha student. As students went up the stage they were accompanied by their guardians, and were then presented with their hard hat, along with their pin containing names and their respective courses. Each program chair was responsible for hatting the students with their hard hats. The SEA Faculty were also present, along with the honorable dean, and the resource speaker, Engr. John Briones, a professor at MAPUA University, currently taking up his master’s degree in structural engineering, who is also a UB alumna.
Engr. Briones highlighted the memories and lessons he himself experienced and learned, especially considering the same school, building, and rooms he attended. He then proceeded to talk about the struggles he encountered, like sleepless nights, chasing scores, and tight deadlines, which draw similarities also to the students’ struggles themselves. Like the students, he was once only a dreamer too.
The hard hatting ceremony is a brief reminder of aspirations and ambitions that come from humble beginnings. It is a testament to the fruition of finally being able to overcome the grueling lecture subjects, of being able to finally reach the last step of the academic journey.
