Graduation 2015

Published On Mon 22 Jun 2015 by Grant Hill

Thousands of students from around the world will be joined by family  and friends to celebrate their academic successes when the University of Dundee hosts its annual Summer Graduation ceremonies this week.

Six ceremonies will take place at the Caird Hall over the course of the week as almost  3500 students feel the tap of the Dundee bonnet as they receive their degrees, diplomas and postgraduate qualifications.

Students in their robes will fill City Square before and after each ceremony, with many later making their way to the Garden Parties held in the heart of campus.

The traditional Dundee bonnet – spun, woven, dyed and embroidered for the University by the Dundee Bonnetmakers Craft – is used by the Chancellor, Lord Patel of Dunkeld, symbolically to confer degrees on graduates.

Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University said, “Graduation is a milestone for all involved and we are always delighted to welcome so many of our students and their families here at a time when the campus and the city will be buzzing with excitement.

“My congratulations go to all our graduates and I wish them every success in their chosen careers. Our graduates are our best ambassadors and I hope they feel transformed through their time at Dundee and leave equipped to face their own future challenges and meet their ambitions.

“The Class of 2015 can have a significant impact on lives in Dundee, across the UK and around the world, contributing to economic, social and cultural development. The University community has representatives from 145 countries and we are immensely proud that our students have voted Dundee the best student experience in Scotland for the past six years, and consistently among the best in the UK. I am sure this year’s graduates will look back on their time at Dundee with pride.”

The graduation ceremonies begin on Wednesday, 24th June and run for the rest of the week, with morning and afternoon ceremonies each day. The morning ceremonies begin at 10am, and the afternoon ceremonies at 2.30pm. Graduation garden parties take place each day at the Campus Green, Balfour Place, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Over the course of the week the University is also presenting honorary degrees to leading thinkers and high achievers, local and international. Those receiving the honorary Doctor of Laws are:

  • Brian Taylor, one of the Scotland’s most respected political commentators
  • Seamus McGarvey, Oscar-nominated cinematographer (‘Atonement’ & ‘Anna Karenina’)
  • Dave Gibbons, graphic novelist and artist, illustrator of the classic ‘Watchmen’
  • Justin Fletcher, BAFTA-winning actor and children’s television presenter
  • Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize-winning author, screenwriter and dramatist
  • Professor Frank Grosveld, internationally renowned molecular biologist
  • Stuart MacBride, one of the UK’s most acclaimed crime writers
  • Bill Forsyth, film director and writer (‘Gregory’s Girl’, ‘Local Hero’)
  • Dr Jung Chang, author and campaigner
  • Professor Neil Buist, internationally recognised expert in child health

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

There will be photo opportunities with each of the Honorary Graduates before the ceremony in the Robing Room of Dundee City Chambers. These will be from 9.30am for the morning ceremonies (which begin at 10am) and 2pm for the afternoon ceremonies (which begin at 2.30pm).

The ceremonies taking place this week are:

Wednesday 24th June

10 am – School of Business, School of Law (Honorary degree presented to Brian Taylor)

2.30pm – Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Graduate School of Natural Resources Law, Policy and Management (Honorary degrees presented to Dave Gibbons and Seamus McGarvey)

Thursday 25th June

10am – School of Environment, School of Psychology, School of Education, Social Work and Community Education (Honorary degrees presented to Roddy Doyle and Justin Fletcher)

2.30pm – Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification, School of Science and Engineering, School of Life Sciences (Honorary degrees presented to Professor Frank Grosveld and Stuart MacBride)

Friday 26th June

10am – School of Nursing & Midwifery, School of Computing, School of Humanities (Honorary degrees presented to Dr Jung Chang and Bill Forsyth)

2.30pm – School of Dentistry, School of Medicine, Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine (Honorary degree presented to Professor Neil Buist)

 

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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