By Callum Cowan
Students of Strathclyde University graduated at Barony Hall from 12th to 15th November, donning gown and cap to commemorate their achievement.
Degrees, diplomas or doctorates were presented to graduates while their families and friends formed an audience.
With success throughout Strathclyde Business School; the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Humanities and Social Sciences, the ceremony granted qualifications to those who completed their course of study.
Several graduates were especially noteworthy, having excelled within their field. 37 year-old Penny Haddrill, who was presented one week previously with the Postgraduate Most Meritorious Student award by the Forensic Science Society (FSSoc), for her work throughout the year-long Master’s course, was one.
She received the prize – a framed certificate and shield from the Society, a year’s free student membership of the Society and a £300 book token – at the Forensic Horizons conference in Manchester. She then went on to graduate at the top of her class.
Haddrill is the third consecutive winner of the prestigious award to come from the University of Strathclyde, and when speaking about her experience said: “I chose the course at Strathclyde because it’s very highly thought of and I had known of it for a long time. The best thing about the course was that so much of it was hands-on and practical.
“I’ve enjoyed the course and had great teaching and supervision- I can’t speak highly enough of it.”
In similar triumph, a research programme run by the University in collaboration with global healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) saw its first student awarded a doctorate.
In 2009, the University and GSK created a framework for collaborative research degree programmes – and jointly set up a Postgraduate Doctoral Training Centre, based at Strathclyde – with the aim of helping the company’s employees and other researchers obtain MPhil and PhD research degrees through their work-based projects.
Sebastien Campos, who works at GSK’s Research and Development campus at Stevenage, was awarded a PhD in Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry after working for almost four years within this unique collaboration.
Campos said: “Throughout the programme, I have had the pleasure of discussing my science with leading scientists from the University of Strathclyde and GSK, as well as interacting with peers from both institutions.
“This has inspired me to advance my scientific understanding and I am thrilled that this has been recognised with the award of a PhD.”
All of the November graduates became alumni of the University, and may choose to continue their studies or pursue other ambitions. Alumnus or alumna who dedicate themselves to providing a service, asset or effort for Strathclyde may find themselves nominated for The Strathclyde People Award.
Strategic marketing consultant Dr. Jeff Fergus received the accolade this year. He initially took on the role of founding chairman for The Alumni Fund, and currently sits as one of the alumni considering applications.
Being instrumental in a fund-raising campaign in 2000, which established fund-raising and philanthropy as a key income source for Strathclyde, Dr. Fergus gave generously of his time, knowledge and experience: as a long-serving member of the governing body Court, a wise counsel, and advisor – particularly in the area of marketing and communications.
} else {
