Inverness College UHI Graduation 2017

It’s the culmination of months of hard work for the students, who are celebrating successful completion of a range of qualifications from HNC to HND, Degree, Honours Degree and Postgraduate study. Students were joined by teaching staff, friends and family for the ceremony, which was followed by a celebratory reception at Inverness College UHI, Inverness Campus. Higher education provision at Inverness College UHI grew by almost 10 per cent in 2016/17 compared to the previous year, with more than 2500 students enrolled with the University of the Highlands and Islands. The graduation ceremony was the first official engagement for new principal Professor Chris O’Neil. He said: “I would like to offer my personal congratulations to every student graduating today. This is a special day for our students and a time to celebrate their achievements with friends and family. I am in no doubt they will have experienced highs and lows along the way – achieving a higher education qualification requires hard work and determination to succeed. But today is about reflecting on how far they have come on their learning journey, recognising the people who have helped them and looking forward to the next chapter. We have many talented students here at Inverness College UHI and I hope they can take part of what they have learnt here to guide them in whatever exciting opportunities come their way.” Guest speaker at the ceremony was motivational performance coach Donald MacNaughton, who runs consultancy business Zoned in Performance. Donald uses sports psychology as a basis to mentor everyone from sports stars to chief executives to succeed in everyday life. Professor Clive Mulholland, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, presided over the ceremony and presented scrolls to students graduating. Among them was Inverness College UHI education lecturer Helen Coker, who has completed her research PhD. Helen, who is programme leader for Master of Education Critical Enquiry, is now a Doctor of Philosophy, having studied part-time for the past four years. Special awards also went to BSc Psychology student Ash Sinclair, from the Black Isle, who was presented with a Full Sporting Blue Award by the Highlands and Islands Student Association (HISA) and the University of the Highlands and Islands, and HNC Care and Administrative Practice student Shannon Murray, from Kingussie, who received the Ina Maciver Award, presented to the University of the Highlands and Islands’ health or social care student of the year. HISA teaching awards were also presented to Inverness College UHI staff by its president Holly Scrimgeour. The awards are voted on by students from across all 13 academic partners. They included psychology lecturer Matt Sillars, named outstanding lecturer of the year, motor vehicle lecturer Thomas Garnham, named most inspiring lecturer of the year, business lecturer Tara Morrison, named most engaging online tutor, and education lecturer Judith Munro, named best personal academic tutor. Following the ceremony, staff, students and guests joined a procession led by mace bearer Pearl Macleod, the College’s essential skills development tutor, who retired on 1st September after 43 years’ service with the institution, from Eden Court Theatre, across Ness Bridge to the Three Graces at Ness Bank, before travelling by bus to Inverness College UHI to celebrate further.