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Published 24 July 2009

Graduands at this year's University of Brighton's summer award ceremonies will share the stage with BBC's Question Time presenter David Dimbleby and best-selling crime author Peter James, who will both be awarded honorary doctorates from the university.

Nearly 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 28 to 31 July at the Dome in Brighton. The new graduates will collect their awards from the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton and the chairman of the Board of Governors, Lord Mogg.

Professor Crampton said: "Award ceremonies are very special days for the university. I am struck by the wealth of talent and the sense of community which exists at the university."

"Universities are about people and it is the students and staff of the university that make these ceremonies possible. For staff, this is a high point of the academic year - for graduates, it is a significant milestone. I would like to offer all the students my warmest congratulations."

Among those graduating this year are:

Kelly Barnes, School of Applied Social Science

Criminology and applied psychology graduate, Kelly Barnes, has her eye firmly set on the London Olympics for 2012. The international boxer, who graduates with a 2:1, is among many professional female boxers waiting for the International Olympic Committee to decide whether women will be allowed to box in the Olympics for the first time. Currently boxing is the only sport in the Olympic programme which excludes women. 
 
But if female boxing doesn't make its debut at the London Olympics, Kelly, 25, has no shortage of other opportunities, with her plans to turn professional: "The possibilities of professional boxing would take me abroad and hopefully I would be able to box at York Hall – London's most historic and regularly used small hall boxing venue in London."

And if that's not enough, while waiting for the decision regarding the Olympics, Kelly is also taking out a jockey licence. "With a licence I'll be able to compete as a point-to-point jockey and have time to train race horses, which is another love and possible future direction for me."

There are also future social work projects in the pipeline for Kelly, including a boxing programme in a young offenders' prison and a project in South America to help teach unprivileged children to box, which will allow her to combine her criminology qualification with boxing.

Kelly, who has competed in international boxing events throughout her degree, is supported by the university's elite sports scholarship scheme. The scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential by giving them the necessary flexibility and support required to train and compete at the highest level while achieving an academic qualification.

Kelly says the scholarship has been a huge help, especially with travel costs for training and domestic and international travel: "The people involved with the scholarship programme, Sarah Hogg and Max Coles, were always really helpful in advising me and assisting with any issues or difficulties I had as a result of training or travelling."

"My course leader, Matt Adams, was also helpful and my first point of call if I had missed any work when away through boxing commitments. In all, it was essential to have the support of the scholarship to enable me to carry on competing throughout my time at the university."

Since the university's elite sports scholarships was launched over six years ago, the university's sporting hall of fame continues to grow. One cricketer at the top of his game is graduate Ragheb Aga, who broke into the Sussex Championship side, whilst another graduate, current Great Britain Hockey captain Ben Hawes, competed at the Beijing Olympics.

Nikki Petty, School of Health Professions

University lecturer Nikki Petty from the School of Health Professions will become the first physiotherapist in the UK with the title of Doctor of Physiotherapy when she graduates today.

It's a huge achievement for Nikki, 51, who has spent the last five and a half years studying to achieve her doctorate.

"It's a fantastic feeling to have finally completed the course," said Nikki, who is the programme leader for the Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care. "It was the best learning experience I have ever experienced and I really enjoyed the process."

Nikki has taught at the university for nearly 20 years. Her career in physiotherapy has taken her around the world, from Saudi Arabia to Australia and finally to Brighton. After working at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, Nikki says she finally found her niche when she began teaching at the University of Brighton.

"I really enjoyed teaching and to be a teacher is a privileged position," says Nikki. "To see growth and development in another, and know that you have had a part to play in that process, albeit tiny, has given me a real sense of joy and fulfilment in my role at the university."

So what advice would Nikki give to people interested in studying physiotherapy? "Find out as much as you can about the work of physiotherapists; Google is a great place to start. Then try and observe physiotherapists at work, not only in the NHS but privately and in sport. Do some voluntary or paid work to develop interpersonal skills, as this is vital to work well with patients. Work hard to get the entry requirements because competition is stiff. Then go for it!"

The Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care started in 2003 at the University of Brighton. It was the first programme in the UK that enabled various healthcare professionals to obtain a named doctorate.

George Webster, Chelsea School

One sport and leisure management student has been helping to plan one of the UK's most eagerly-anticipated sport events – the London 2012 Olympics. George Webster, 20, landed the dream internship of working with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Based in Canary Wharf, London, George worked within the committee's communications department which involved briefing political stakeholders, delivering contact programmes and fixing key meetings. George also spent a number of days in the House of Commons.

"A highlight of the placement was helping to organise the Beijing Torch Relay, where I had to help supervise approximately 100 children at Downing Street when the torch was taken up the steps of Number 10," said George. "Other highlights included taking an Olympic Park tour, where I could take in the progress made so far in the construction of the stadium and other venues to be used in 2012.

"I also attended a two-day political trip to Scotland where I had to accompany the committee's chairman and chief executive alongside government relations team members at a number of events and meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow. This was aimed at helping to develop stronger relationships with political figures and informing them of how Scotland can gain from the Olympic Games coming to London in 2012."

Such was the success of George's placement that the committee have now pledged to take on an internship student from the University of Brighton each year until the Games in 2012. "This is something I am very pleased and proud about", said George. "Being the first student on the course to undergo a placement of this size and scale, I didn't want to let the university, let alone myself, down."

George now hopes to stay linked to the Olympic project: "I would love to return and work for the committee. If this ambition is realised and we are fortunate enough to be awarded the World Cup in 2018, I would love to work on that too."

Aneta Smaga, Brighton Business School

Meet entrepreneur and student Aneta Smaga, 25, who set up a successful translations service company whilst juggling her final year of study. Aimed at website owners who want to take their business onto the international market, Aneta’s company translates website content for her clients.

Aneta, who graduates today with a degree in international management, first came up with the business idea while undertaking her industrial business placement abroad for an e-commerce business.

After her placement finished, with the help of the university's entrepreneurship programme, Beepurple, Aneta registered herself as a sole trader and began securing clients during the final year of her degree.

"Starting up a business on a student budget was never going to be easy," said Aneta. "However, the nature of SA-Translations allows me to operate with extremely low costs. The business relies on the internet communication and the free forms of marketing. The website is being built by my friend and the initial support given by Beepurple helped me to save costs of seeking professional advice. My university degree in international business also gave me all the necessary skills needed to start up a business."

Aneta advises similar students who want to start up their own business to "be brave and seek professional advice in the early stage to organise your ideas."