23.07.2007
Over 5,000 students will be receiving their awards this year from the university - graduating in a range of subjects as diverse as: automotive engine design, law with accountancy, midwifery, three-dimensional design, architecture and pharmacy.
Eight ceremonies will take place over four days from 24 to 27 July at the Dome in Brighton. Students will receive awards which range from degrees to diplomas, from the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton and Chairman of the Board of Governors, Sir John Mogg.
"Graduation is a time of great celebration for the university and its students," said Professor Crampton. "It provides an opportunity for us to congratulate our students on their academic endeavours and to wish them well as they make the transition from student to graduate.
"We hope however, that is not the last we see of them. On graduation they will join tens of thousands of Brighton graduates who make up the university's alumni society and we look forward to hearing about their future successes."
Sustainable success
One 3D design graduate has found an eco-friendly solution which could transform the way we eat outside or 'on the go' in today's hectic society.
As one of her final year projects 22-year-old Demelza Hill designed the 'snap and dine' cutlery set (pictured right). Made out of biodegradable products, the design mixes and composes an 'airfix' kit and 'old fashioned cutlery' to create a transformable place setting.
The handy invention won Demelza the British Council's National Design Award for 2007. As part of the award Demelza presented her work at the Milan design festival and International Furniture Fair.
Demelza explains the benefits: "The 'snap and dine' cutlery set aims to encourage people to reconsider etiquette and use the opportunity to take time out from their daily life to enjoy eating their lunch in whatever location."
Demelza's product characterises the sustainable approach taken in the 3D design programme that has led to pioneering but practical considerations of our sustainable futures.
Reaching those in need
Graduate Karen Robinson (pictured right), 22, has performed quite a juggling act of late. Along with studying for a degree in criminology and social studies and working part-time as a police custody assistant for Sussex Police, Karen has also been successfully running the UK arm of Indian charity, Poonjeri Project.
Working with a small gypsy community in Poonjeri, near Chennai, South India, the project provides educational, medical and community support to those in need.
Karen became aware of the Poonjeri Project whilst volunteering for the Tsunami Relief Project which helps communities on the south-east coast affected by the tsunami.
Despite the Poonjeri Project only being set up in 2006 Karen is already successfully progressing the project back on English soil:
"We are continually seeking out opportunities for fundraising. At the moment we are selling jewellery, handmade by the Poonjeri community at Fairtrade markets and college open days and the project is about to be officially registered as a charity in the UK."
But all that hard work certainly hasn't lessened Karen's desire for a fresh new challenge.
"I really enjoyed the research involved in my dissertation into youth offenders and the guidance I received from my university tutors was fabulous. So much so, I have now decided to stay on at the university and study part-time for an MA in criminology."
"I also start a new full-time job working as a residential social worker for a children's home in Worthing. Along with carrying on the work of the Poonjeri Project of course!"
Researching for a cleaner life
The possible effects of global climate change on our environment are never far from the news, but one group of Brighton graduates may have some of the skills needed to manage the environmental challenges ahead.
For the first time graduation sees a group of students awarded a BSc degree in Environmental Hazards and 21-year-old Sarah Purnell (pictured right) has particular reason to celebrate.
Sarah has been awarded a first class honours degree and has received the School of the Environment's prize for achievement in Environmental Hazards.
For her final year research project Sarah applied a novel 'source tracking' method to investigate the problem of water pollution for a Sussex harbour over a period of six months. The method was developed by university researchers, who hope it will lead to better ways of predicting the impact of future storms on drinking and bathing water quality. Sarah explains the process:
"It was a very effective technique and produced accurate results. The method was very time dependent so it involved a lot of travelling back and forth from the harbour to the laboratory to incubate the bacteria within a four hour time period."
"It's been great to be working on something that I am interested in and really enjoyed. The degree has been very practical and the experience I have gained from this project and field trips to Sicily and Greece have been invaluable."
Following her success, Sarah is now looking forward to taking the work further during her postgraduate research studies at the university.
Changing faces
22-year-old Adam Pearson is celebrating today as he graduates with a degree in business management. Along with juggling his studies, Adam has also played a pivotal role in launching iFace, a website to help people like himself who live with disfigurement.
Adam has from a rare genetic form of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), which prevents cells growing normally and causes disfigurement. As a result of his condition Adam has lost an eye and some hearing.
But the business graduate has refused to let the condition be a barrier to his ambition. Along with embracing university life, Adam has also been an active member of Changing Faces, the national charity that supports people who have disfigurements and is responsible for the iFace website.
Launched this April, the website is the first of its kind. Created by young people for young people, it is already receiving over a thousand visitors each month. Adam said: "iFace is going to make people think differently about disfigurement - worldwide. The discussion forums are the best thing about the site because everyone can have their say about an issue. We've never had that level of interaction before."
As one the website's trained 'superusers', Adam undertook a placement with the London web design agency responsible for the website back in January: "Working on the website has really complimented my degree and was a good opportunity for me to implement the business and IT skills which I've gained over the last three years at university."
The site has been established as a three-year project, which will be funded by an £51,000 donation from BBC Children in Need.
Adam is now busy preparing for a new phase in his life working as a student liaison officer for Church of Christ the King in Brighton. He will continue his role as a young people's council member for Changing Faces.
For more information about the charity visit www.iface.org.uk, www.changingfaces.org.uk or contact 0845 4500 275.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
