Whanganui UCOL celebrates graduates

27 March 2012

Whanganui UCOL celebrates graduates

Hard work and commitment has paid off for 275 Whanganui UCOL graduates who earned degrees, certificates and diplomas last year.

Many of the graduates will attend this Thursday’s annual Graduation Ceremony in Whanganui, to receive their new qualifications.

This year the graduation ceremony will be held at the Jubilee Stadium on Thursday 29 March at 1 pm.

Whanganui UCOL Head of Creative Programmes Sally-Jane de Salazar says the graduates represent 275 success stories. “Every single one of these people has taken up the opportunity to learn at their local polytech and achieve their study goals. Graduation reflects their personal commitment, hard work and achievement, and often, some financial hardship. It’s a big commitment but the rewards are great. In a tight economy these graduates are better equipped to enter the workforce with a vocational education that gives them the opportunity to contribute to the economy and to their lives.”

Sally-Jane says as well as celebrating student achievement, UCOL graduation ceremonies also acknowledge the contribution of friends and families and of UCOL academic and support staff. “It’s also a time to say thank you to the Whanganui community groups, business and sector groups, and retailers who support us and have contributed to the success of our students. Staff will be there with the graduates celebrating their success.”

This year’s guest speaker is Dr Eric Dorfman. Dr Dorfman is Director of Whanganui Regional Museum, and has a PhD in wildlife ecology (U. Sydney), a Masters in marine biology (SJSU) and is an Adjunct Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington, in the Department of Museum Studies. He is also Vice President of the International Council of Museums' Committee for Museums and Collections of Natural History (ICOM NATHIST) and chairs the Board of Directors at Eklektus Inc.

The graduands who are eligible to be on Thursday have completed qualifications in study areas including Business and Computing, Catering and Hospitality, Hairdressing, Beauty, Mental Health, Exercise and Sport, Science and Health, Nursing, Fashion, Glass and Fine Arts.

The biggest contingent is 47 Culinary Arts and Hospitality students. Another large group are the 24 graduates of the newly introduced Certificate in Tertiary Study Skills. Seven students are eligible to receive their Diploma in Beauty in addition to 14 Certificate in Beauty Services graduates.

Twenty eight students will graduate Bachelor of Nursing, 12 with Bachelor of Fine Arts, and 9 Bachelor of Fashion and a further 12 Certificate in Fashion. A group of 17 will graduate with the Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) and 30 with qualifications in Business, Computing and Business Administration.

ENDS

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