UCOL celebrates Graduates’ achievements

UCOL celebrates
Graduates’ achievements

UCOL has once again topped the 1,600 mark of students eligible to graduate with Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates at its annual Graduation Ceremonies next week.

The Ceremonies, on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 March, celebrate the achievements of 1650 Graduands across four faculties.

UCOL is expecting around 3000 people to join in the celebrations over the two days.

UCOL Deputy Chief Executive Academic Bonnie Dewart says, “For students, Graduation represents personal and financial commitment and hard work which results in the achievement we will recognize over the days of Graduation.

As well as celebrating the achievements of students, UCOL Graduation Ceremonies also recognise the contribution of friends and families, and of UCOL academic and support staff.”

Degrees and Diplomas will be conferred at two separate Ceremonies on Tuesday. The UCOL Council Honours for 2013 for Manawatu will be also be awarded at the Ceremonies.

A total of 1220 students are eligible to Graduate with Degrees and Diplomas from the Humanities and Business, and Trades and Technology faculties at the 10.00am Ceremony.
The two largest groups are Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging with 35 graduates and 29 from Information and Communications Technology.

During the Ceremony, Sir Pat Higgins KNZM, chairman and co-owner of family-led Manawatu company, the Higgins Group will be awarded an Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to the community.

Health Science Faculty Degrees and Diplomas will be conferred at the 2.30pm Ceremony. One hundred and fifty one Bachelor of Nursing Graduands forms the largest group of students from the Health Science Faculty to Graduate.

Other large graduating groups include students from the Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) and the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science programmes.
The afternoon Ceremony will include the presentation of a UCOL Institutional Medal to educationalist and past Principal of Awatapu College in Palmerston North, Tina Sims.
Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor is Guest Speaker at both of Tuesday’s Graduation Ceremonies.

The recipients of Certificate qualifications have their own Ceremony to celebrate their achievements, on Wednesday 13 March.

Those eligible to Graduate represent programmes from the Humanities and Business, Trades and Technology, Health Science, and Education Delivery and Innovation Faculties.

ACC Programme Manager for Sport and Recreation, Joseph Harawira is Guest Speaker at the Certificate Ceremony on Wednesday.

UCOL’s Diploma in Performing Arts and Contemporary Music Performance students will provide entertainment during and after the Ceremonies.

At the conclusion of each Ceremony, Graduates, their families, UCOL staff and members of the official UCOL party will form a procession along Broadway Avenue and Princess Street to the Atrium at the UCOL campus.

Background on Graduation Speakers:

Mayor Jono Naylor
Born in Upper Hutt and raised in Auckland and Masterton, Jono moved to Palmerston North in 1985 to study at Massey University, and has lived here ever since.
His working career has mainly focused on working with young people and their families across the Health, Welfare, Education and Community sectors. Immediately prior to being elected Mayor of Palmerston North in October 2007 he was employed by a large city church as Operations Manager.
Jono first became interested in politics when he returned to University in 1995, graduating in 1997 with a BSW (Hons). He was first elected as a Councillor in 2001, and in 2006 decided to run for mayor after a growing number of City Councillors and city leaders asked him to consider taking on the role. He was elected as Mayor in October 2007.
Jono’s vision for Palmerston North is for it to be “a place where my children would want to raise my grandchildren” - somewhere that offers great opportunities, is affordable and is growing in a sustainable way. He is passionate for Palmerston North to fulfill its potential as a city.
Jono is married to Karen and they have three children aged 14 - 19 yrs.

Joseph Harawira is the ACC Programme Manager for Sport and Recreation. This is a national position tasked with preventing injuries and improving the performance of people participating in sport and recreation.
Joseph works closely with groups such as the New Zealand Rugby Union, New Zealand Football, Netball New Zealand and New Zealand Rugby League.
He has previously held positions with the New Zealand Army, New Zealand Police, Rugby World Cup, Massey University and Te Wananga o Raukawa.
Outside of his day job, Joseph is a director of an innovation company and also provides consultation advice for corporate wellness programs.
Joseph has completed an Executive Masters in Business Administration (Massey), postgraduate courses in Project Management and Organisational Management (Massey), Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (UCOL) and is PRINCE 2 qualified (APMG-International).

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