Students honoured at first Graduation ceremony in three years

Nearly 400 graduates and award winners, together with their friends, family and guests enjoyed a warm congratulation on their achievements at the Perth College UHI Graduation Ceremony.

Held at Perth Concert Hall on Thursday 6 October, they were presented with their degrees, diplomas, certificates, and awards. The 2020, 2021 and 2022 graduates had to cope with Covid lockdowns and remote learning for much of the duration of their studies.

Dr Margaret Cook, Perth College UHI Principal, said: “It is a particularly special event this year as this is the first face to face Graduation ceremony we have been able to hold since 2019, and today we had graduates from the last three years.”

Margaret addressed the graduates: "You all have one thing in common, you have all studied during one of the most difficult periods in our history, none of us could have prepared for a pandemic and you have all risen to the challenges that this presented. You have learned on-line and everyone has been challenged in different ways, making your achievements all the more special. I would like to join with my colleagues on our Board of Management, our senior team, and all of the staff across the college, in congratulating you on your achievements and wish you well for the future.”

At the beginning of the ceremony, individuals were conferred Honorary awards in recognition of their outstanding achievement in their field. Ms Eleanor Brown received a Vice-Chancellor’s Award in recognition of her local and national collaborations and curriculum developments within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business.

Professor Martin Price was recognised for his immense contribution to Perth College UHI and the wider UHI over his 20 years as Founding Director of the Centre for Mountain Studies. He successfully built up a thriving research centre that now enjoys an excellent reputation both in Scotland and across the globe.

At the end, Vera Bacuvcikova Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Visual Communication and Design offered a Student Vote of Thanks. She said: “It is an honour and privilege to stand here to give thanks on behalf of us all to the many special people who have helped us and been there for us along our journey. I think I can speak for all of us that the last few years have not been easy, because on top of managing the course load, we have had to deal with the hardship of the pandemic. Whilst this is a day for graduates to celebrate our own personal achievements, today also belong to our tutors, families, and friends because without them, we would not be here today.”

The Academic Procession went through the city centre, reflecting the partnership between ‘town and gown’.

The graduation ceremony was also broadcast live on the Perth College UHI website, allowing relatives and friends to watch it anywhere in the world.