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Published 14 February 2011

Giulia Civello didn't let the rain dampen her celebration as she graduated with an MSc in Environmental Assessment and Management at the University of Brighton's winter award ceremonies at the Brighton Dome.

Giulia Civello

Giulia said: "I have loved being a student here and this masters has helped me to progress my career."

Giulia, who is Brighton born and bred, also won the Argyll Environmental Prize and has already found employment, working at a London-based environmental consultancy.

More than 1,800 students graduated during the two days and family and friends flew in from all corners of the earth to celebrate with graduates.

Russian-born Nina Dimitriadi arrived from Singapore to collect her PhD for her School of Arts and Media research while her American husband Aaron flew in from New York to be with her.

Nina and Aaron Dimitriadi

Both are artists and met at a festival and conference in Taiwan in 2003. Nina is a post doctoral fellow at Nanyang Technolocal University in Singapore and Aaron is director of a design studio in New York.

Nina said: "We speak on the telephone every day and fly to see each other as much as we can."

Nina revealed a family phenomenon: The couple have a one-year-old son Constantine who was born on 11 May, Nina's birthday, and Nina is expecting their second child – on 11 May.

Jimmy Ancheta graduated with an MA in international event management – a course he couldn't find at any university in his native USA.

Jimmy said: "When I was searching for programmes on this side of the Atlantic the University of Brighton came highly recommended by my tutors and professors at the University of Nevada/Las Vegas where I was studying.

"The university certainly lived up to its billing – it provided more opportunities and experiences than I expected and I loved being here."

Jimmy Ancheta and family

Jimmy, whose family travelled from their home in California to celebrate his graduation, is currently working in the events industry and plans to remain in the UK to progress his career.

The university provided the perfect career path for podiatrist Alison Blake, who has gained a Professional Doctorate. She did her podiatry diploma and top-up degree locally and was one of the first two students to obtain an MSc Podiatry from the university.

Alison Blake

She then contemplated doing a PhD but, as she said: “As I have also been committed to my clinical role, I could not justify the demands of a regular attendance at a university. I was pleased when I saw an advertisement for the new Professional Doctorate Programme at Brighton. It was perfect to fit in with work as it was designed for the researching professional."

Since leaving the university, Alison has been working for the NHS podiatry department in Salisbury.

The new graduates collected their awards from the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton, and chairman of the Board of Governors, Lord Mogg.

Baroness Emerton of Tunbridge Wells and Clerkenwell was unable to give the keynote speech due to ill health and Dr June Crown CBE, former member of the university’s Board of Governors, stepped in at the last moment.

Dr June Crown CBE

Introduced as a "great friend of the university", a public health physician, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health for three years and an advisor to the World Health Organisation, Dr Crown said that despite cuts in public expenditure and major changes ahead, the NHS would remain true to its principles: "It is about looking after people and caring for them. These tasks are here to stay."