846 job-ready graduates

846 job-ready graduates

UCOL’s Graduation ceremonies will be held this week, celebrating the achievements of students who completed their course of study last year.

The two ceremonies will be held at the Regent on Broadway on Tuesday 24 March and Wednesday 25 March at 1 pm.

The Humanities and Business ceremony, for graduates in business and administration, counseling, information systems and computing, arts, photography and design, hospitality and catering, tourism and travel, and culture and community programmes, will be held on 24 March.

The Health, Science and Technology ceremony, for nursing, medical imaging technology, vet nursing, health science, exercise and sport science, trades and industry programmes, will be held on 25 March. Both ceremonies are expected to last for about two hours.

Rangitikei MP the Honourable Simon Power and Coroner Carla na Nagara will be guest speakers at the ceremonies. Entertainment will be provided by students from UCOL’s Performing Arts programme, led by lecturer Kane Parsons. UCOL staff and students will also perform waiatas at each ceremony.

After the ceremonies, graduates and UCOL staff members will form processions from the Regent via Broadway Avenue and Princess Street to a reception at the new Learning Hub in the UCOL Atrium. Refreshments at the receptions will be provided and presented by UCOL Professional Cookery and Hospitality students.

UCOL Chief Executive Paul McElroy says he is looking forward to congratulating graduands on their achievements at the ceremonies. “Students work hard and make a great personal commitment to achieve their UCOL qualifications. In return they can be confident that their qualifications will be recognised and respected by their future employers,” he says.

“We take pride in that fact that our graduates are job-ready and able to hit the ground running, as employees. In a very real way, these new graduates are well placed to contribute to the economic, cultural and social growth of the Manawatu region – and of New Zealand”.

He says graduation is a time for students to celebrate what they have achieved – and to look forward to what they can do in the future. “It’s also a time for UCOL staff to celebrate and take pride in their own success in helping our students to reach their goals.”

Mr McElroy says it’s important to acknowledge the community groups and inner city retailers who have embraced UCOL, its staff and students for another successful study year. “We welcome and value their support,” he says.

In total, 846 have qualified to graduate from UCOL Palmerston North – nearly half have opted to attend the graduation ceremonies. Mr McElroy says UCOL is always delighted when so many students choose to graduate formally at the yearly ceremonies. “But those who can’t attend often have excellent reasons – they usually are busy putting their new qualifications to good use in the workplace,” he says.

ENDS

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