"SO far I've told you that life is uncertain, but you already knew that. What I really want you to know is that you have abundant tools to face that uncertainty and to lead an extraordinary life, even beyond your wildest dreams. But in addition to thinking about uncertainty and willpower, there's one more thing I want you to try to will yourself to remember today. I want you to think about how you can use time effectively and for good in this complex world." These were the words of World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim before Northeastern University's class of 2013 in their commencement ceremony. US universities host influential people to deliver inspiring speeches at the end of the second semester. It has become a ritual for all universities. This university has graduated many people who have played an influential role in society. Such inspiring speeches help newly-graduated students get an idea about real life, a life that is full of challenges and risks. Students are prepared to be thrown out in the real world and fight battles. Life outside the walls of the university is completely different from the one inside. It is cruel and competition is fierce. The purpose of these speeches which hundreds of graduates listen is to give hope and optimism and spur students to face the challenges of the real world. What makes the speeches powerful is the fact that they are delivered by great leaders. Perhaps the most inspiring speech ever is the one given by Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Company, who had not completed his undergraduate studies. In his 2005 Commencement Address before Stanford University, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Company, who did not finish college, said, "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." The address was videotaped and uploaded on YouTube and watched by 24 million people. It has touched the hearts of countless people and helped them get over difficulties and obstacles they faced in life. It was translated into several languages and many parts of it have become global wise sayings. In the Kingdom, we have similar successful stories but the heroes of these stories have never been invited by our universities to give speeches and talk about their struggle to the top. Many people faced hardships and stumbled and fell before standing up again and reaching the top. Our students need to hear these inspiring stories to help them forge ahead in life. We have many successful people such as Lubna Al-Olayan, Raja Al-Alim, Hayat Sindi, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Al-Waleed bin Ibrahim, Rami Abu Ghazala and Ehasn Abu Ghazala who founded Al-Baik. This step will create new leaders in our society who will leave a strong mark on the world.
