Congratulations to the Class of 2022, at University of Toronto Victoria University, Emmanuel College, where convocation took place on May 12, 2022. This is the first in-person ceremony since 2019 and a milestone with the presence of Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monastic in the graduation of master and doctorate degrees at the University of Toronto. Representing the Buddhist tradition in this ceremony, Venerable Dayi Shi is the President of The Buddhist Association of Canada, Abbot of Cham Shan Temple in Toronto.

Ranked as top university in Canada and consistently top 10 public universities in the world, University of Toronto was founded in 1827 as King College and assumed its present name in 1850. Its alumni include three Governors General of Canada, five Prime Ministers of Canada, nine foreign leaders, and seventeen justices of the Supreme Court of Canada. As of March 2019, twelve Nobel laureates, six Turing awards winners, 94 Rhodes scholars, and one Fields Medalist have been affiliated with the university.

During this 2022 convocation, Chancellor of Victoria University, Nick Saul, has admitted graduates to the Degrees of Master Pastoral Studies, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy.

The Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) provides theological and spiritual grounding for individuals, developing knowledge in the areas of ethics, spirituality, faith, and inter-religious dialogue. The three streams of inter-faith foci include Christianity, Muslim, and Buddhism. Professor Henry Shiu, also a graduate of PhD. in U of T in 2006, currently leads the Buddhist focus within the MPS program, which has flourished since its founding in 2015.

Two honorary degree recipients were presented during the convocation. Dr. Alia Hogben, recipient of the honorary degree, is a social worker and supervisor at the Ontario Ministry of Social Services. She focused on assisting abused women, children, and vulnerable populations. As a graduate at University of Toronto in 1964, Dr. Hogben has also served as Executive Director for the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) and presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Anti-Semitism and Human Rights.

Dr. Tanya K. Talaga, the second recipient of the honorary degree, was a journalist at Toronto Star and now a columnist at The Globe and Mail. Dr. Talaga sheds light on the realities of Indigenous communities as well as generational impacts of residential schools with her award-winning books and articles. Territorial acknowledgement was presented with drumming and honor song performed by the indigenous talents.

At closing, three religious leaders were invited to give benediction (closing prayers). Rev. Michael Blair represents the United Church of Canada, and Dr. Hamid Slimi, Imam represents the Sayeda Khadjia Centre. Venerable Dayi Shi represents the Chinese Mahayana Buddhist tradition. This is history in the making since University of Toronto establishment in 1850, where the presence of Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monastics set foot on its convocation platform. As Chinese Mahayana Buddhism is ushered into this Canadian high institution, its influence and development in the academia in Canada will ensue.