18.07.2005
Over 2,500 students will receive their awards from the University of Brighton at its summer ceremonies at the Dome from Tuesday 26 - Friday 29 July.
The new graduates will receive their awards, which range from diplomas and doctorates, from the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Watson and the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Sir Michael Checkland.
Sir David Watson said: "Awards ceremonies are very special days for the university. They provide the one occasion on which everything stops, and we concentrate on recognising the efforts and celebrating the achievements of everyone who works in and for the university."
"Graduation is a time of reflection and I congratulate all the graduates for what they have achieved, and I wish them the best for the next stage of their careers as life-long learners."
Student case studies
Hard work plays off
Mannie Marara - BA Physical Education
Mannie had worked in a school in Zimbabwe and was part way through studying for his teaching diploma when he decided to take a break from his studies and travel. En route from New Zealand he came to the UK and worked at Ardingly College as an assistant teacher and sports coach. His decision to return to Zimbabwe and continue with his teaching diploma again coincided with its economic collapse at the end of 1999. Having continued to work at Ardingly College, Mannie took the decision to pursue his ambition to become a qualified teacher and enrolled with the University of Brighton in 2002.
"I've been teaching for nearly 10 years and it was difficult to return to university and effectively start again. However, the University of Brighton was very flexible and recognised my previous experience and qualifications that I had achieved in Zimbabwe which meant that I could transfer straight into the second year of the course.
"I chose the University of Brighton because it has a good reputation for sports sciences which is where my teaching interests lie, the course was so comprehensive, and I liked the family feel of the campus at Eastbourne."
Each student is also allocated an academic tutor, and James Wallis, my tutor was sensitive to my needs as a mature student. James made time to listen to me and help with my studies. I'm really looking forward to graduating and getting back to teaching which is what I really love doing."Course leader and academic tutor, James Wallis said: "Mannie has been a pleasure to work with since joining the course in 2002. He has an infectious enthusiasm for education and has always shown the utmost standards of professionalism and etiquette. The extent to which he was able to juggle the normal pressures of student life with much wider personal circumstances is one indicator of his strength of character. I look forward to monitoring his career post University of Brighton and in the world of education."
Mannie will be taking up a post of PE teacher at Selsdon High School in South Croydon.
Outstanding sporting achievements
Becky Nash - BA Physical Education
Member of the England Netball team and Captain of the British and English Universities netball squads, Becky Nash, has managed to balance her sporting commitments with her study for a degree in teaching physical education. She was also awarded an elite athletes scholarship of £1,000 by the university.
Becky said: "The tutors have been really supportive over the last four years and were always there if I needed advice. The scholarship was also a huge help and enabled me to carry on training and playing at such a high level whilst studying at university. It also meant that I got access to physiotherapy, specialist training workshops, strength and conditioning training, nutrition advice and a mentor who was always there to help with fitting in training around my study commitments."
Becky's course leader, Fiona Smith said: "Becky has worked extremely hard over the past four years at the University of Brighton and this has paid off. She has made real achievements playing netball for the England team and she has been captain of the English and British Universities netball teams. Closer to home she has been heavily involved in the successes of our own university netball team and has willingly shared her expertise to benefit fellow students. She has been able to balance high level sporting performance with the demands of degree level study."
Becky will be taking up a teaching post at Chelmer Valley High School and she says that she hopes to carry on with her success in sport and to one day play netball at Wembley.
Studies help to restart career
Ruth Ginno - Early Years Care and Education Foundation degree
Ruth Ginno originally planned to go to university after having a year out to travel round the world. Fifteen years, one very supportive husband and three children later - Ruth is one of the first in a cohort of students to be graduating with a foundation degree in early years care and education.
"At the age of 18 I felt that I had all the time in the world to study and was too busy enjoying myself travelling round Australia to think about studying," said Ruth.
"I knew that I always wanted to teach, but obviously having children delayed this. When I heard about the new part time, foundation degree, I felt that it would fit around my family and allow me to finally achieve my ambition to become a teacher. I chose to study at the University of Brighton due to its reputation in education and because the course has been developed in partnership with employers and colleges."
"Returning to study was a shock - there was lots of work, but I'm extremely motivated and found the tutors, my mentor and facilitator extremely supportive. The course also involved working part time for two years at Stone Cross School which I have undertaken in a voluntary capacity and the overall holistic experience and has proved to me that I've made the right decision and I can't wait to become a teacher."
Ruth now intends to go on and top up her foundation degree with a BA Honours before commencing an initial teacher training course.
Hard work rewarded with an MSc
Mark Scott - MSc Public Health
Mark Scott, was working for the Red Cross in Malawi, educating young people about sexual health and the risk of contracting HIV. He was advised by the Red Cross to take a research module and recommended to study at the University of Brighton. Having studied the research methods and epidemiology module and enjoyed it so much that he decided to leave the Red Cross and come and study for an MSc Public Health.
Mark said: "Brighton enabled me to use my practical experience whilst learning theory. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable in their area of expertise and very supportive. The research methods course made me want to go on and gain more knowledge and continue to study and the past two years have been fantastic."
Principal Lecturer, Gail Louw, said: "Mark is a young man with great charm. He plans to go back to Jamaica after the graduation ceremony to work as a HIV prevention co-ordinator working with hard to reach groups, and having an MSc Public Health will make a tremendous difference to his career prospects."
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton,
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