Queensland is set for an influx of newly skilled graduates next week, as more than 4000 students from The University of Queensland celebrate the completion of their studies.
Starting on Monday with a ceremony in Ipswich, the first of 10 mid-year graduation events over the week, 4121 students can look back on their success at the state’s oldest and largest university. An estimated 2800 will attend the formal ceremonies.
The ceremonies are broadcast live online here.
At the Ipswich ceremony on Monday, 125 students graduate from a range of courses including business, arts, nursing, midwifery and health sciences studies.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Midwifery, Courtney Drew will deliver the valedictorian speech, a prestigious honour to reflect on the students’ success with fellow graduates, family and friends.
Ms Drew, 25, says she is looking forward to celebrating the achievements of her classmates, and look towards the future.
“As I reflected upon my own university experiences in midwifery, I realised I have been on a journey that has been far greater than just getting through each semester,” said Ms Drew.
“From the first day I started with my fellow classmates with such nervous excitement, I have been given many truly amazing, enjoyable and enriching experiences.”
Ms Drew said she looked forward to a rewarding career about which she was passionate.
“I became a midwife because I was fascinated with pregnancy and birth, but also because I wanted a career that was going to be special and rewarding and one where I was going to enjoy going to work every day,” she said.
“The UQ Ipswich campus created a really nice environment to study. I got to know the staff and other students really well and I am glad I got to study here.”
Professor Alan Rix, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, said the ceremonies allowed graduands, their families and University staff the opportunity to join together in celebration.
“These ceremonies are a vital acknowledgment of the accomplishments of our students,” he said.
“We congratulate each and every student and wish them all the best for their bright futures,” he said
Dr Jeannette Young, Chief Health Officer for Queensland will be guest speaker.
Dr Young is responsible for such matters as health disaster planning and response, aero-medical retrieval services, organ and tissue donation services, cancer screening services.
The University of Queensland is one of Australia’s leading teaching and research institutions and continues to attract the vast majority of the state’s highest academic achievers.
UQ mid-year graduation numbers grew year-on year from 3500 in 2009 to 3770 in 2010, and 4124 in 2011.
Timetable of all UQ mid-year graduation events
Monday 16th July: Ipswich Civic Hall
2pm: All Ipswich programs
1.40pm - Graduands’ Procession
2.00pm – Academic Procession
Tuesday 17th July: UQ Centre St Lucia Campus
11am: all Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT)
2pm: Health Sciences
6pm: All Social and Behavioural Sciences and Psychology majors in BA or BA (Hons)
Wednesday 18th July: UQ Centre, St Lucia Campus
11am: Some of UQ Business School and School of Law
2pm: Some of UQ Business School and all of School of Tourism
6pm: Some of UQ Business School
Friday 20th July: UQ Centre, St Lucia Campus
11am: All Arts (except for BA Psychology majors)
2pm: All other science
6pm: School of Veterinary Sciences and Agriculture and Food Sciences.
Graduations can be viewed live at: http://www.uq.edu.au/graduations/live-broadcast
Media are welcome to attend.
For further information on the Ipswich graduation ceremony, please contact Jessica Freiberg (0421 587 278), UQ Ipswich Marketing and Development Manager.
For information on other graduation ceremonies, please contact Janelle Kirkland (0424 013 095 or j.kirkland@uq.edu.au).
