The Dutch Ambassador to Australia will be guest speaker at The University of Queensland’s Social and Behavioural Sciences Faculty graduation ceremony at St Lucia on Wednesday, December 11.
His Excellency, Dr Hans Sondaal will address more than 350 graduands at the 6pm ceremony, which includes the Schools of Education, Journalism and Communication, Political Science and International Studies, Psychology, Social Science and Social Work and Social Policy.
There are two valedictorians for the Faculty, which offers courses at the University’s new Ipswich campus, as well as at St Lucia.
Melissa Teh is the valedictorian for St Lucia. Melissa will receive first class honours in the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, one of the first students to graduate in this degree. Melissa was an outstanding student, and received an almost perfect academic score. She received a Dean’s Commendation for every semester that she studied, and won the Michael French Prize for Psychology during her second year. She will discuss the many different options open to graduates in the social and behavioural sciences fields. Ms Teh will commence a PhD at UQ next year in clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology.
Marrion Mutzelburg is the valedictorian for the Ipswich campus. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies, also one of the first students to do so in this new degree program. (Ms Mutzelburg will receive her degree at the Ipswich Civic Centre at 6pm on Monday, December 16).
Dr Mark Sherry will receive his PhD on the rights of disabled people. Dr Sherry was seriously injured in a car accident 10 years ago, and his research offers a unique insider’s perspective (see separate media release).
Another student who overcame adversity to graduate is Timothy Winton Brown, who will receive a Bachelor of Journalism. While studying in Indonesia in 1998 as a Rotary exchange student, Tim was badly injured in a diving accident, breaking his neck in five places. He was airlifted to Singapore, and then Australia. Initially left wheelchair-bound, Tim was able to use a four-wheel scooter to attend his classes at St Lucia. Tim’s right hand was paralysed in the accident, and he taught himself to write with his left hand while undertaking his course.
Tim performed well academically during his degree, receiving several Dean’s Commendations, and is described by his lecturers are “an inspirational student”. As a UQ journalism student, he worked as a volunteer in the news service at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and the Paralympics. He wrote event reviews and had a story published on the Paralympics website. A film enthusiast, Tim will work at the Dendy cinema in Byron Bay and the Bangalow Film Festival next year, before possibly returning to The University of Queensland to pursue postgraduate study in journalism and law.
Mamoona Zia overcame cultural and language barriers to achieve high marks in her postgraduate education course. She will receive a Master of Education (Leadership). Ms Zia is an international student from Punjab state, Pakistan, and studied at the University through an Ausaid scholarship. Ms Zia works for the Ministry of Education in Lahore, Pakistan and will use the skills from her UQ course to further her work there, in recruitment and administration of female teachers in the Punjab.
A mother and daughter will both receive first class honours degrees at the ceremony. Patricia Myers, 48 of Palmwoods, will graduate with first class honours in Social Work and Social Policy, while her 23-year-old daughter Natalie will graduate with first class honours in Anthropology (Social Science). (See separate media release.)
Deborah Peden will receive Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education degrees at the ceremony. She is the recipient of the 2002 Australian Literacy Education Award, a prestigious honour given to outstanding education students. Ms Peden achieved a near-perfect grade point average of 6.86, and undertook her dual degree part-time for seven years and one year full-time, while raising a family and running a secretarial business. Ms Peden, of Middle Park, will commence her teaching career with a posting at Stuartholme College in 2003.
