Graduation: The ultimate summer celebration

The University of Western Sydney is hosting a special Summer Graduation this week, giving hundreds of students the opportunity to start the New Year afresh as UWS Alumni.

The 2011 Summer Graduation is being held from Tuesday 20 December to Wednesday 21 December at the UWS Parramatta campus.

Hundreds of graduands are donning cap and gown across the seven ceremonies and receiving degrees in a wide range of disciplines including law, biomedical and health sciences, education and nursing.

The summer ceremonies also include the first graduation of students from the UWS School of Medicine. For the 86 graduating medical students, the ceremony signifies the conclusion of five years of study and clinical training on their path to becoming doctors.

At the School of Medicine graduation, three students who achieved consistently high results throughout their studies will receive prestigious University Medals. Honorary Doctorates are also being presented to Emeritus Professor Bruce Barraclough AO, Professor Alexandra Bune AM, and Mr Peter Brennan AM.

An Honorary Doctor of Letters honoris causa will be presented to Aunty Mavis Jean ‘Mae’ Robinson, a local Aboriginal Elder who has made far-reaching contributions to education and community life in Greater Western Sydney.

A highlight of the graduation ceremony is the Occasional Address. UWS graduands and their guests will have the opportunity to hear from a range of distinguished guest speakers:

  • Ceremony 1, 20 December: Niels Marquardt, Consul General, US Consulate General Sydney
  • Ceremony 2, 20 December: Peter Wills AC, Deputy Chairman of Research Australia Limited
  • Ceremony 3, 20 December: Aunty Mavis Jean ‘Mae’ Robinson
  • Ceremony 4, 20 December: Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education), University of Western Sydney
  • Ceremony 5, 21 December: Bernie Harrison, Director of Clinical Leadership, Development and Training with the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission
  • Ceremony 6, 21 December: Professor Mary Chiarella, Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney
  • Ceremony 7, 21 December: Emeritus Professor Neville Yeomans, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney

WHAT: UWS Summer Graduation ceremonies 2011

WHERE: Ian and Nancy Turbott Auditorium (Building EE), UWS Parramatta Campus, Corner Victoria Road and James Ruse Drive

WHEN: Tuesday 20 December to Wednesday 21 December 2011

GRADUATION TIMES: Graduation ceremonies commence at 9:30am, 12 noon, 2:30pm and 5:00pm. Graduands are advised to arrive on campus to register no later than 90 minutes prior to the commencement of their graduation ceremony.

Ends

20 December 2011

Contact: Danielle Roddick, Senior Media Officer