Sunderland College celebrate achievements of graduates

Sunderland College saw its Higher Education students recently graduate in a memorable ceremony at its Bede Campus.

During the event, graduands were presented with their diplomas from a wide range of courses, including honours degrees; foundation degrees; higher apprenticeships; higher national diplomas; higher national certificates; and professional qualifications.

Dame Irene Hays, Chair of Hays Travel was the guest speaker on the day which was presided over by Education Partnership North East and Sunderland College Chief Executive Ellen Thinnesen.

Following the ceremony, graduates joined their friends and families in the campus’ Theatre Eighteen for a drink reception.

Dame Irene said: “It was an honour to address the graduates and share their celebrations. As I explained during the ceremony, Hays Travel – and businesses like ours – need positive, capable people, who are willing and able to make change happen for the better. I wish them every success.”

Chief Executive Officer, Ellen Thinnesen added: “We were delighted to share this important day with all our Higher Education students and I’m proud of everything they have worked hard to achieve.

“As graduates, I know they will use their higher-level skills and knowledge to positively contribute not only to the economy, but also to foster a more cohesive world.

“I would like to thank all of our higher education staff for the support they have given our graduates during their studies, and I wish all those who graduated every success in the future.”

Among this year’s graduates were two award winners: the David Child’s Award for Outstanding Achievement on an Engineering course went to Christopher Todd, while Denise Welch, who studied a Counselling Foundation Degree, received the Higher Education Student of the Year award.

The awards were presented to Christopher and Denise for going above and beyond within their studies and adding value to the wider college student experience, community, their employment, further progression and skills.

Denise said: “My course was very interesting, I’ve learned who I am, what I can do and what I’m capable of, and there’s always help and support available here for you.”

Dana Diab studied an Access to Health and Social Science course and added: “The college has been like a second home to me and all the staff at Sunderland College are very supportive and helped to make the course a lot easier once I got settled into the swing of things.

“I am now studying Psychology at Northumbria University, and once I graduate, I hope to be a Child Psychologist.”

Jamie lister, who studies a Foundation Degree in Counselling said: “My course was challenging, but there was ample support from the college for me to be able to get through the course.

I’m going on to the top up year, where I will get a full honours degree. I work currently as a counsellor, so I will use the skills I have acquired to progress further in my career wherever that will take me as I move forward.”

Sunderland College offers a variety of Higher Education courses including a number run in partnership with and accredited by local universities, such as the University of Cumbria.

AAT Accounting Graduate and Accounts Receivable Assistant at Education Partnership North East Rhona Wood said: “This course was definitely the hardest out of all the levels I’d done, but it’s definitely been the most rewarding.

“The people who I studied the course with along with the lecturers really helped me get through. I do have plans to continue studying, and I intend to progress in finance, hopefully going into management accounts.”

To apply for Sunderland College’s Higher Education courses or book onto an open event, visit www.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk.