21 June 2009

Graduation 2009

Photo opportunities: International Students Reception - 6pm, Tuesday 23rd June
Graduation ceremonies - Wed 24th, Thurs 25th, Friday 26th June.

Thousands of successful students will feel the tap of the Dundee bonnet this week as the University of Dundee hosts its graduation ceremonies in the Caird Hall.

Six graduation ceremonies will take place this week, a time of great celebration for students and their families. Around 3500 students will graduate with degrees, post graduate diplomas and diplomas. 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 the University 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, to symbolically confer degrees on graduates.

'We are always delighted to welcome so many of our students and their families here for graduation, which is a milestone occasion for all involved,' said Professor Peter Downes, Acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University.

'The campus and the city will be buzzing with activity in one of our busiest weeks of the year. In addition to Graduation we also have the Dundee Literary Festival, the opening of the `Picturing Dundee’ exhibition and the reception for our International Students.'

'This is a time of great celebration and I hope everyone attending Graduation or coming on to the campus for any of our events has a wonderful time.'

The graduation ceremonies begin on Wednesday morning and carry on through Thursday and Friday. Graduation garden parties take place each day at the Campus Green, Balfour Place, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Honorary degrees will be conferred on distinguished guests of the University:

• Richard Holloway, former Anglican Bishop and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and now a respected writer and broadcaster on moral, ethical and religious issues
• Wendy Houvenaghel, a Dundee alumna and an Olympic silver medallist in the Women's 3000m pursuit at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
• Professor Matthias Mann, one of the world’s most prominent scientists, and a pioneer in the field of mass spectrometry and proteomics
• Sir Paul Nurse, a leading British biochemist who was jointly awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Sir David Weatherall, a leading world expert in haematology
• Professor Frank Walsh, a leading advocate of translational medicine and Professor of Neuroscience at Kings College London

The International Students Reception takes place in the Queen Mother Building, Balfour Place, on Tuesday evening from 6 pm to 8pm. Students from all over the world who are set to graduate this week at Dundee will attend with their families.

NOTES TO EDITORS

GRADUATION TIMETABLE

Tuesday, 23rd June 2009
18:00 International Students Reception at Queen Mother Building (Invitation only)
20:00 Conclusion of International Students Reception

Wednesday, 24th June 2009
10am Graduation Ceremony, Caird Hall
Schools of:
* Humanities
* Psychology
* Social & Environmental Sciences

2.30pm Graduation Ceremony, Caird Hall
Schools of:
* Accounting & Finance
* Law
* Education, Social Work and Community Education
Honorary degree bestowed on Richard Holloway

4pm Garden Party, Campus Green

Thursday, 25th June 2009
10am Graduation Ceremony, Caird Hall
* Postgraduate School of Management & Policy
* School of Architecture
* College of Life Sciences
Honorary degrees bestowed on Professor Matthias Mann and Professor Frank Walsh

2.30pm Graduation Ceremony, Caird Hall
* Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
* School of Computing
* School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics

4pm Garden Party, Campus Green

Friday, 26th June 2009
10am Graduation Ceremony, Caird Hall
* School of Nursing & Midwifery

2.30pm Graduation Ceremony, Caird Hall
* School of Medicine
* School of Dentistry
Honorary degrees bestowed on Wendy Houvenaghel, Sir David Weatherall and Sir Paul Nurse

4pm Garden Party, Campus Green

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk