As the newly minted graduates from the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (CSII) ascended the steps of the Chulalongkorn University auditorium, many were visibly moved, their eyes filled with tears. With heads held high, they seemed to stand even taller than before. Amidst the applause that greeted them, the graduates knew that October 6, 2023, would forever be a significant date — not only in their personal histories but also for the School, which had been established just a little over four years prior.

Moments later, the entire batch of students received their degrees, and they were congratulated by their School, the University, and their loved ones. They were no longer just students; they had become alumni of the School. For CSII, the graduation of this first batch was a moment of pride and reflection. In 2019, when the School was established, it was not a fully-fledged institution; instead, it was conceived as a \"speedboat\" project. Through hard work, trials, and tribulations and a baptism by fire, the first batch has not only graduated but also seen the School evolve from a mere \"speedboat\" project to a fully-fledged institution, now enjoying a status similar to that of existing faculties within Chulalongkorn University.

The Class of 2019, which graduated in 2023, earned the flagship degree of Bachelor of Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScii), and they could not have been prouder. All 76 of them graduated, with a remarkable 33 students achieving first-class honors and 19 receiving second-class honors. The first batch had a significant share of international students, including two from the United Kingdom and one each from Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan. 

Some 20 percent of the graduating batch are fully engaged in their startup plans, while another 30 percent are employed full-time at top international and Thai companies. Some are joining their family-owned business, while others have already enrolled to pursue master\'s degrees. All of them successfully completed 26 capstone projects, with two of them already operating as startup companies and an additional four set to announce their launch very soon. 

For the School, the success of their first batch serves as a beacon for future generations to follow. Already, the BAScii program is attracting top students and has become the talk of the town. Not resting on its laurels, the School has embarked on a rebranding and launched a rigorous new curriculum that aligns with our rapidly changing world. The new cohorts will focus on three core competencies: technology, business, and AI, as they move forward to conceive and implement innovative entrepreneurial startup projects.

\"Our first batch of graduates deserves the highest commendation from all of us. They displayed exceptional courage by enrolling in the BAScii program at its inception, a commendable feat that demands a special kind of mettle. They excelled in all aspects, including academics, extracurricular activities, and social responsibility and garnering laurels from various global hackathon contests,\" remarked Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Executive Director of CSII. \"Our next step is to build upon our achievements and set even higher goals. The school now possesses the requisite experience, youthful vigor, knowledge base, and market presence to reach loftier heights,\" he added. 

As the 76 graduates descended the steps of Chulalongkorn University\'s auditorium, their four years of hard work were already becoming cherished memories. With each step beyond the University\'s gates, they carried not just their degrees but also the unwavering belief that the world was their canvas, waiting to be painted with their innovation and success. And as the gold medallist from the inaugural batch, Thanathep Preedawiphat, would narrate his four-year journey with an insightful post on Medium, aptly titled \'Not on my resume\': You might eventually forget about all these insightful journeys if all you seek is the destination.