Students celebrate graduation success
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Published
06 September 2024
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The energetic and joyous cheers of thousands of graduates, their family and friends reverberated around the University of East London’s Docklands Campus this week as the University’s class of 2024 received their degrees.
The excitement was palpable at six graduation ceremonies held at SportsDock across three days, 3-5 September, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication for all involved.
Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice Chancellor and President of UEL, congratulated graduands on their time, energy, passion and commitment and thanked everyone for being an integral part of the University’s transformational journey.
She said,
To those graduating today I offer my heartfelt congratulations – what you have achieved is a significant milestone in your life journey, one that you will never forget.
Today marks the closing of one chapter, the beginning of another. It may be daunting, but you are ready. You are prepared.”
She continued,
"Your time at the University of East London – from the knowledge and skills you learned on your degree to the support and opportunities you received as part of the student experience - has ensured that your move into a career is seamless."
“Whether you want to set out as an entrepreneur, make an impact in a major corporation or effect meaningful social change with a charity or in a school, you are ready.
“Graduates, my commitment to you is that, together, we will continue to build on our achievements and aspirations as we work towards creating a more equitable and sustainable society.
“I am already looking forward to the remarkable contributions you will make to our city, our society, and our planet Earth.”
Of the 2024 graduating class, many are heading to jobs at blue-chip companies, including Apple, Accenture and Clifford Chance. A third of UEL students (33 per cent) will go on to effect meaningful social change within the NHS, in a charity or a school, while seven per cent will start their own business.
During the ceremonies in SportsDock, the atmosphere was electric as graduates accepted their degrees.
Dorian Hoksari, who was graduating in BA Media Production, said, "I’m so proud to be graduating from UEL. It is a really good university. It really has helped me develop the skills I need to achieve, and has helped me to work in the industry that I studied for. I’m currently working at a film distribution company called Video Plugger. We deal with licensing, selling series and preparing for festivals. I love it.”
Muhammad Abdullah, who was awarded an MSc Artificial Intelligence, said, "I am feeling so happy. It has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life, so I was really looking forward to graduation day. I am working for the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and this course has helped me move to a more senior role within the organisation. I have a bright future.”
Peter Ashdown, who is graduating with a degree in Pharmacology, said, "Without UEL, I would not be where I am now. I am extremely grateful for the time and effort of those staff who gave me career advice and support in countless PhD applications. I will always remember those who shaped me into who I am now, and I look forward to sharing the scientific space with them.”
Katie Riches earned her Online Education Studies degree while working as a teacher. She said, "I taught all ages but am particularly passionate about teaching KS2 children. My degree has opened my mind up to new ideas and possibilities and has been a fantastic stepping stone into achieving my QTS [Qualified Teacher Status], which I will gain by the end of the next academic year.”
Aldo Austin, who received a BA in Film, said, "The course was really fun and made me more creative. The lecturers played a big role in helping me find my creative voice. During the course, I got a job at a film production company thanks to the lecturers’ contacts. The skills I learned from them helped me land the job, and I’m still working there now at Picture Perfect, a Suffolk-based company that produces films. I started as an assistant and have since worked my way up.”
The University also awarded five remarkable individuals honorary doctorates for their commitment to the values of the University’s community, including inclusivity, sustainability, health equality and local and global collaboration.
Keith Cheng, awarded an honorary doctorate in Fashion has been at the forefront of innovation and collaboration for decades. His career, marked by visionary leadership and a profound commitment to nurturing emerging talent, has left a notable mark on the fashion world, including as general manager of Umbro China, and through impactful roles at Adidas, Fila Fusion, and Nike.
Dr Mahmoud Hashem Abdel Kader, awarded an honorary doctorate in Science, is a professor of photochemistry at Cairo University and the founder and chairman of the European Universities in Egypt. A distinguished scientist and academic leader, he has made significant contributions to his field, with research interests including the utilisation of solar energy in disease control.
Neil Leitch, awarded an honorary doctorate in Education, was introduced to the Early Years Alliance, then known as the Pre-School Learning Alliance, in 2000. Drawn to the organisation's ethos and dedication to enhancing the lives of young children, Mr Leitch became an active volunteer and then communications officer. In 2008, he was appointed chief executive officer, a role that has allowed him to champion the causes he holds dear, including social justice. He was awarded the OBE for his work in 2022.
Dr Tevin Tobun, awarded an honorary doctorate in Business, is a distinguished business leader, tech entrepreneur, and philanthropist with a prolific 23-year career. Beyond his business ventures, Mr Tobun founded The Tobun Foundation to support education and career opportunities for disadvantaged youth. He is also the chair of Inspirational You, empowering students and leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds, and was recently inducted into the Dr Martin Luther King Board of Sponsors in the US.
Chris Williamson, awarded an honorary doctorate in Architecture, co-founded Weston Williamson, an architectural and urban design practice, soon after he and his partner were selected for the “40 under 40” exhibition at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1985. Mr Williamson also runs a community arts centre, ILKON, in Derbyshire, which recently hosted a 3-month programme involving 90 architecture students to look at new ways to transform the post-industrial town into a vibrant creative hub for the East Midlands.