The Lens: Bad call to cancel Columbia graduation over pro-Palestinian protests

Linda Chiu Cheuk-ling, 17, CNEC Christian College

The main graduation ceremony of Columbia University was called off in light of the pro-Palestinian protests. The cancellation has stirred up debate and controversy in many parts of the world.

Calling off the ceremony was an inappropriate response by the university. Graduation ceremonies offer students the chance to treasure their time at school. Pupils can look back on their educational careers, triumphs and obstacles.

It is also an opportunity for them to extend their gratitude and respect to their teachers. It is a time for family and friends to travel to the campus – some for the first time – to celebrate and cherish this milestone.

From the perspective of teachers, it is a heart-warming time for them to acknowledge students’ growth after years of hard work. Seeing their students’ success can motivate them and encourage them to continue prioritising the well-being and education of their future pupils.

I agree that safety is crucial, especially for those visiting the campus. However, cancelling the graduation ceremony sets a bad precedent, as many other schools around the US have followed in Columbia’s footsteps.

Instead, the school could hold more activities to showcase its support for students, namely workshops and approvals for them to hold sit-ins.

It is important to balance safety and incorporating the student body’s demands into campus life in an accessible and appropriate way that makes all students feel safe. The university should sit down and listen to the student protesters and see how they can come to a compromise.

Cancelling the graduation ceremony will prevent students from revisiting their memories and teachers from being inspired by students’ growth.

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Thailand may have to consider relocating its capital Bangkok because of rising sea levels, a senior official in the country’s climate change office said.

Projections consistently show that low-lying Bangkok risks being flooded by the year 2100. Much of the bustling capital already battles flooding during the rainy season.

Pavich Kesawawong, deputy director general of the government’s department of climate change and environment, warned that the city might not be able to adapt to the world on its current warming pathway.

Bangkok’s city government is exploring measures that include building dykes to prevent floods.

While this move is still a long way from being adopted as policy, it would not be unprecedented in the region.

Indonesia will inaugurate its new capital, Nusantara, this year. It will replace Jakarta, which is sinking and polluted, as the country’s political centre.

The mammoth move has been controversial and extremely expensive, with an estimated price tag of US$32 billion to US$35 billion.

Thailand is suffering the effects of climate change across a range of sectors, from farmers struggling with heat and drought to tourism businesses affected by coral bleaching and pollution.

Pavich acknowledged that government efforts to tackle the growing problem of air pollution, particularly in Thailand’s north, had yet to make a substantial change.
Reporting by Agence France-Presse

Research and discuss

• What are some potential obstacles to moving Thailand’s capital from Bangkok? What other long-term solutions could the government look to instead?

• How might moving the capital affect Bangkok’s residents and its economy?