Sainte-Justine-de-Newton resident Cédric Charles Berguer was honored three times over at the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec (ITAQ) graduation celebration held at the Saint-Hyacinthe campus on Saturday, October 14.

Cédric Charles, a graduate in Agricultural Business Management and Technology (ABMT), was the recipient of three awards. Firstly, he is the winner of the Governor General's Academic Medal, awarded to the graduate who achieves the best academic results among students at his or her school.

He also received the Médaille du Ministre de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ). This award recognizes the graduate with the highest grade point average in his or her program. The Minister's Medal was accompanied by a $250 bursary.

Finally, Cédric Charles was awarded a Certificate of Merit in General Education. This award recognizes the graduate who has distinguished him/herself by excellent results in general education courses. The award was accompanied by a $100 purchase credit applicable to the continuing education course of the graduate's choice at ITAQ.

This year, the Institut celebrated the awarding of 181 new diplomas of collegial studies, including 66 at the La Pocatière campus and 115 at the Saint-Hyacinthe campus, bringing the total number of graduates to over 13,000 since the establishment of the institution in 1962.

"This 59th cohort is the epitome of resilience and adaptability. You have had to overcome unexpected challenges, constant change and periods of uncertainty, but you have always moved forward with determination. It's a testament to your ability to face the future with confidence, no matter how complex the world around us may be," says Aisha Issa, ITAQ Executive Director.