20 July 2012
Graduation Ceremony marks 20th anniversary of Summer School
Photo opportunity: 1.25pm on Tuesday, 24th July on the steps of Tower Building, University of Dundee. The class of 2012 will be available for a group picture.
The 20th cohort of graduates from the Dundee University Access to Learning (DUAL) Summer School will have their achievements marked at a ceremony next week.
The DUAL Summer School allows students held back by adversity to earn a place at University. The annual graduation ceremony recognises the hard work of student who enrolled on the programme as a way of proving their ability for higher education, but who lacked traditional qualifications.
Thirty-five students and their guests from the 2012 cohort will gather in the D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre for the ceremony, which will be hosted by Professor Chris Whatley, University Vice Principal, and Dr John Blicharski, Access and Participation Manager at the University.
Each student who will be taking a place at the University having successfully completed the course will receive a scroll in recognition of their achievement.
Dr Blicharski said this year's event took on special significance and represented a milestone in the University's commitment to widening access.
"Over the past 20 years, Summer School has offered a chance for people to study at University, and enjoy the subsequent career opportunities, when they might otherwise have missed out," he said.
"It is always a pleasure and a privilege to see our students graduate from Summer School having earned the right to study at University. This year is obviously a landmark one for the University and provides a good chance to reflect on all those who have passed through over the past 20 years.
"Many have gone on to achieve first class honours degrees, PhD's or other postgraduate qualifications. Our students have made a real difference to the economy and their communities and are fantastic ambassadors for the DUAL Summer School programme.
"Summer School always attracts a real mix of students and now in its 20th year it has been no different. Last month I was able to watch members of the class of 2008 graduate, with 77% of this group having either now earned a degree or still studying at Dundee."
The University's Summer School programme was first proposed in 1992 as means of encouraging able students from all backgrounds and circumstances to prove their ability to qualify for study through a special targeted course.
Since then, more than 1,400 students from a diverse range of backgrounds have taken part. Whilst some have just left school, others return to study, including talented candidates who are looking to change career.
Will Dawson, Development Convenor at Dundee City Council and a former Summer School student himself, will attend the graduation ceremony, along with Carolyn Fishman and Neil MacLennan, senior policy advisors for Education Secretary Michael Russell MSP.
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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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