Last Tuesday marked a momentous occasion for students from the University of South Australia Mount Gambier Campus living across the Limestone Coast and South West Victoria.
The university hosted a highly-anticipated graduation ceremony celebrating almost 90 students from 2019 and 2020 completing their degrees. Eight teachers from Emmanuel College in Warrnambool also graduated with a Master of Education degree due to a successful partnership between UniSA and Emmanuel College.
UniSA Regional Manager Ian McKay said after traditional graduation ceremonies were cancelled last year due to COVID-19, the graduates were excited to wear their academic attire and receive their parchment on the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre stage.
Formalities were followed by afternoon tea at the Town Hall. “The formal graduation ceremony is a highlight for most students as it is an opportunity for students to celebrate their achievements with family and friends as it serves as a memorable closure of an important chapter of a student’s life,” he said.
Mr McKay said most of the graduates had found careers in schools, social work agencies, hospitals and businesses. “We’re very proud of the employability of our graduates,” he said. “Virtually every student that graduates from UniSA Mount Gambier gains employment and most of them get employed in our local area.”
Mr McKay said the students worked hard over several years to complete their degree. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to celebrate completing that milestone,” he said.
University of South Australia Mount Gambier Campus Education Coordinator Deb Hosking said it was a great opportunity for the graduates to celebrate their success together. “I think it’s an opportunity for the students themselves to step back and reflect on what they have achieved, because it’s huge,” she said.
“For me, it’s very emotional every year, after working very closely with them for 4 years to see them be successful, to share their successes and to share some of the highs and lows with them. “I’m very, very proud of each and every one of them.”
Ms Hosking said most of her students had found careers in a range of education roles. “We’re very lucky that our local education sites support our graduates very well,” she said.
