By Raquel Marques, Vice President Health & Education and Science & Technology

Congratulations to the everyone on graduating their well-deserved success today at the Central Hall Westminister! 

Until 2017, Middlesex University has only held graduation ceremonies in July. The Winter Graduations have given opportunites to hundreds of Nursing, Placement and Post-graduate students to graduate the same year they finished their studies; and not the following year as it was previously arranged. 

The idea of a Winter Graduation was spearheaded by my predecessor, Orla Hillary - a nursing student on placement whom often felt under-represented and left out. Having to wait a year to graduate, was just another way that made these students feel different and less a part of the university experience in comparison to other students.

Graduation is a ceremony to celebrate all your hard work, marking an end of an era. Having to wait to graduate becomes an anti-climax, especially with most student gaining full-time work at this point, meaning additional burdens of getting time off work or flying back for those living abroad. 

It took a lot of work and discussion with the university to achieve this. It brought me great joy today to see everyone graduate at the beautiful Central Hall Westminster making it the perfect backdrop for this first time ever, special occasion. Hundreds of students will now be able to celebrate their graduation much sooner after completing their studies, and the next stage of their lives and careers.