A record number of students will graduate from The University of Queensland Ipswich Campus in December.
Around 250 students will graduate at the Campus’ graduation ceremonies to be held at the Ipswich Civic Hall on Monday, December 11.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Ipswich Professor Alan Rix said the number of graduates was the largest cohort to graduate from the Ipswich Campus since its inception in 1999.
He said the record number was testament to the Ipswich Campus’ growing popularity as a tertiary education destination for students.
He said the University was pleased to present such a substantial cohort of graduates and wished them well in their future pursuits.
“We look forward to introducing these graduates to Ipswich city, business and industry,” Professor Rix said.
“We wish our graduates every success in their future plans and strongly encourage them to maintain contact with the Campus and their peers through the Ipswich Alumni Network.”
Two separate graduation ceremonies will be held on December 11 to cater for the increasing number of students graduating from the Campus each year.
The Arts and Business, Economics and Law Faculties will graduate at 5pm, while the Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture; Health Sciences and Social and Behavioural Sciences faculties will host their graduation at 7pm.
• Claypave Managing Director and UQ graduate Dr Allan Andersen will act as guest speaker for the first ceremony, while fellow graduate and Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School Principal Mrs Florence Kearney will act as guest speaker for the second.
• Arts, Business and Economics and Law ceremony valedictorian Erin Coster said the upcoming graduation would mark the end of an era for her time at UQ.
Erin, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Contemporary Studies (Arts), is a Kingaroy resident with a self-confessed passion for writing and Australian history who moved to the region to study at the Ipswich Campus in 2004.
She said during this time she has formed a strong bond with the town and university.
“I love living in Ipswich and going to uni in Ipswich,” she said. “I have everything I need at my doorstep.”
Erin, who hopes to return to the Ipswich Campus next year to study Honours and then continue on to a Master of Museum Studies, has recently completed an internship at The Workshops Rail Museum as part of her Contemporary Studies degree; an experience that has cemented her decision to pursue a career in museums and archives.
• Also set to graduate at the Ipswich ceremony is former President of the Ipswich Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team Angela Ruhland, who led the team to be Australian finalists in the national SIFE Championship earlier this year.
Angela, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Electronic Commerce (Business) has already secured employment with Ipswich firm Harding Martin Chartered Accountants and said she was looking forward to putting the skills learnt at university into practice.
She congratulated the Ipswich Campus on providing her with the opportunity to pursue her chosen career in accountancy.
“The Campus is a fantastic environment in which to study,” she said.
“It was great to have lecturers and tutors who were approachable and who actually knew your name.”
Media: contact Loretta Porche on 3881 1068 or mobile 0421 587 278.
