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All smiles as first graduates of 2010 celebrate in style

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Omar Ebanks

Proud Cass School of Education graduates celebrated their success in a ceremony at the Barbican centre in central London on Monday.

UEL’s first graduation event of the year saw former students joined by delighted family and friends, as each was presented with their certificates by Chancellor Lord Rix.

Four honorary Doctorates were also conferred at the event - to philanthropist Kevin Everett, education campaigner Vanessa Wiseman and acclaimed teacher Chris Tomlinson. A posthumous Doctorate was awarded to former Sir John Cass Foundation board-member Manuel Alvarado.

Lord Rix told the audience: "As you begin your journey through life you will remember this day forever.  I would urge you to keep in touch with UEL. Let us know about your successes, and keep us informed of your careers.

"Remember to use the resources UEL will continue to provide you for the next three years, such as the KnowledgeDock, where you can gain valuable information about starting your own businesses."

Quoting the late Mother Theresa of Calcutta, Lord Rix finished by telling students: "Life is a promise. Fulfil it."

Vice-Chancellor Patrick McGhee said: "Through your endeavours, determination and desire to succeed, you have achieved your goal. You should be incredibly proud of yourselves, and we are incredibly proud of you."

Nearly 500 graduates attended the ceremony, with special awards given to 18 students. Among these was Youth and Community Work graduate Mareshah Thomas, who received the Clem Medford Prize for Youth and Community Work, said: "I am very proud of myself. I had many bad days where I broke down but my motto was ‘no room for failure’. I tried my very best and gave 100 per-cent."

Ruhul Ameen, who graduated in Education and Community Development and received the Dean of School’s prize, said: "I can’t believe I made it all the way to graduation. I am grateful to all my lecturers for all their help and guidance."

Dr Everett, who has been a board-member of Sir John Cass’s Foundation for 21-years, thanked the university for his Honorary Doctorate, telling the audience he was "extremely honoured and humbled."

The vote of thanks was given by PGCE primary graduate Omar Ebanks: He said:  "When I was little I never thought I would be a teacher, I thought maybe an engineer, a doctor or a lawyer. But at UEL I’ve learned that the most important thing someone can do in their life is to help children. Our tutors have always been there for us, and I want to be there for others."

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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