HRH The Princess Royal honours Perth Graduands at prestigious ceremony
Perth College UHI Graduation 2016 ceremony
HRH The Princess Royal, Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands congratulated over 330 Perth graduates at the prestigious Perth College UHI graduation ceremony on Thursday 6 October.
The graduates and award winners, together with friends and family enjoyed a warm congratulation on their achievements and an address by HRH The Princess Royal before being presented with their degrees, diplomas, certificates and awards.
Margaret Munckton, Principal said: “We are delighted to welcome the University's Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, to preside over our graduation ceremony, joining us in celebrating the successes of our higher education students. This is a special day, rewarding our graduands for their success, efforts and commitment during their studies, together with their family and friends.
“We work hard to ensure our students leave us with the knowledge and skills to pursue their chosen careers, as well as having happy memories of our friendly and expert staff, vibrant campus and the friendships that develop with fellow students. I sincerely hope all our graduates have had a truly memorable day and I wish them every success for the future.”
Gordon Shedden, British Touring Cars Champion (BTCC), 2012 and 2015 was Keynote Speaker. He began his racing career in 1998 and in 2012, became only the third Scottish driver ever to lift the BTCC laurels, remaining a consistent contender in 2013 and 2014, winding up second and third respectively.
This year’s ceremony also incorporated the University of the Highlands and Islands Foundation Day, an annual event which celebrates the contributions and successes of university students, staff and supporters. Awards were presented to the Scottish mountaineer, mountain search and rescuer, author and advisor, Dr Hamish MacInnes OBE, and to Lewis Vernal, vice-principal (operations and finance) and company secretary at Highland Theological College UHI.
The University of the Highlands and Islands principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Clive Mulholland, said: “We are delighted to be hosting our 2016 Foundation Day in partnership with Perth College UHI in the impressive surroundings of Perth Concert Hall. We are very proud of all of today’s graduates and award winners and I would like to congratulate them all on their achievements.”
A number of graduates who won awards for exceptional achievement were honoured at the end of the ceremony when they were presented with special prizes for their efforts.
Calum Smith was awarded University of the Highlands and Islands Undergraduate Student of the Year 2016 for Perth College UHI. A BSc(Hons) Mechanical Engineering student, he was nominated because of his determination and perseverance in overcoming severe obstacles to his studies, a willingness to learn new skills and his hard work to reach the academic levels required by his course.
For the first time, the graduation ceremony was broadcast live on the Perth College UHI website, allowing relatives and friends to watch it anywhere in the world.