Backbone of the economy: 957 UCOL graduates

Backbone of the economy: 957 UCOL graduates

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

Two graduation ceremonies will be held at the Regent on Broadway on Tuesday 23 March and Wednesday 24 March at 1 pm.

Both the number attending graduation and the number eligible to graduate are well up this year. UCOL’s Chief Executive, Paul McElroy, says that reflects an increasing focus on successful study that leads to employment, in difficult economic times.

“Last year, and again this year, we are enrolling students who are determined to do well in their programme of choice, so they can make a confident entry to the job market. Graduation is an important moment for these students: It represents their ticket to a successful future, with a qualification and excellent employment prospects.

“We’re also proud that our graduates, in Nursing, Business, Hospitality and Catering, Sport and Exercise, and many other in-demand areas, make a big contribution to the local economy. Many take jobs in the Manawatu region and most have been snapped up well before the March graduation ceremonies.”

Just over 530 students will attend this year’s UCOL Palmerston North graduation ceremonies, with 957 eligible to graduate. This compares with a total of 846 eligible to graduate last year.

The Humanities and Business ceremony, for successful students in business and administration, information systems and computing, arts, photography and design, hospitality and catering, tourism and travel, and culture and community programmes, will be held on 23 March.

The Health, Science and Technology ceremony, for nursing, medical imaging technology, veterinary nursing, health science, exercise and sport science, trades and industry programmes, will be held on 24 March. Both ceremonies are expected to last for about two hours.

Graduates will include the first eight graduates of UCOL’s popular Diploma in Interior Design programme, introduced last year.

The largest contingent at this year’s ceremonies will be the Nursing graduates, with 91 attending from a total of 105 eligible to graduates.

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.

Mr McElroy 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.”

ENDS