22 June 2004

Graduating couple

Photographs with photo desk or call Press Office on 01382 344768

Graduation will be extra special for a husband and wife who have studied at the University of Dundee. Maria Sare Garces and Jose Rafael Duque will both graduate this summer with their postgraduate masters degrees. It will be an even more memorable experience as the couple are expecting their first child later this summer.

The couple have been in Dundee for two years after choosing to pursue their postgraduate studies away from their home towns in Venezuela. Maria will receive her masters degree in Oral Surgery after completing her undergraduate dentistry degree at home. Jose will graduate with a masters (MBA) in Oil and Gas Management with distinction from the University’s Centre for Energy, Mineral and Petroleum Law and Policy.

They decided to move to Dundee after both winning scholarships to pursue their studies abroad. Maria explains, "The University of Dundee was the ideal option for us as it meant we could study in our different fields but live in the same city and qualify from the same university. Of course it has been even more important for us as we are expecting our first child in August - a baby boy."

Maria and Jose plan to stay in Dundee until their baby is born and Jose is hoping to find employment in the UK before the couple eventually return to Venezuela.

Jose is particularly excited as his parents are making the journey from Venezuela to Dundee for his graduation with Maria’s mother making the journey for the birth of the baby.

For further information please call the Press Office on 01382 344768

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk