Sussex celebrates its most global graduation
Posted on behalf of: University of Sussex
Last updated: Monday, 18 July 2016
Students from the University of Sussex will come together next week to graduate from a truly global institution.
More than 3,500 graduands will take to the stage at the Brighton Dome from 18-22 July, in a year that a greater proportion of students are set to graduate from across the globe than ever before – 32 per cent of graduands.
The University of Sussex places huge emphasis on its students becoming citizens of the world through the courses it offers, the opportunities to study abroad and the global perspective of its teaching. The research-led University now has a record number of students graduating from countries around the world, making it a truly multicultural community.
Professor Michael Farthing, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “In this, my last graduation as Vice Chancellor, I am so very proud of all our students graduating this summer. We are honoured to be a University that encourages our students to look at the world through a global lens, and we will always place great emphasis on understanding different perspectives.
“With 104 nationalities graduating this week as well as boasting alumni from more than 190 countries and relationships with dozens of universities globally, internationalism is at our heart, and this will never change.”
The University’s Chancellor, the actor and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE, will lead the ceremonies and confer the degrees at the Brighton Dome.
Mr Bhaskar said: "When I was appointed chancellor in 2009 I spoke about how proud I was to be associated with a transformational university such as Sussex. Not only is Sussex transforming the lives of its students, they too are transforming the university, giving it a wonderful international perspective. Graduation is the time for students, their families and University staff, to come together and celebrate that.”
- Yousra Abdelmoneim travelled 3,000 miles away from her home in Sudan aged just 17 to study economics at Sussex. She graduates on Tuesday 19 July on her 22nd birthday, and already has her eye on returning to her home country to help improve the dire economic situation. Her ultimate goal is to set up a string of microfinance banks throughout rural Sudan.
- English with Drama graduate Harry Mackie’s degree has culminated in a six week scholarship this summer at the prestigious Shakespeare Academy in Connecticut, USA - the first step towards what he hopes will be a life’s career in theatre. As well as gaining theoretical and practical experience in theatre and literature, first-generation scholar Harry, from Watford, also gained new insight into social and moral issues through a theatre and ethics module.
- Graduate Emma Jackson found studying for BA (Hons) in Geography at Sussex resulted in a trip to Vietnam in her second year, travelling from Hanoi in the North to Ho Chi Minh City in the South as well as places in-between. Emma, 21, from Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire, credits her time in the School of Global Studies for helping her to decide what career path she wants to take, and she is now thinking about a career in the civil service focusing on topics such as immigration, counter-terrorism and crime.
- Newly qualified social worker Zoe Joyce, from Eastbourne, has graduated with a Master’s from Sussex. During the second year of her course, Zoe, 34, chose to specialise in working with young adults and undertook a placement at East Sussex County Council – which has helped her land a full-time job. During her placement Zoe worked with the Transitions Team, that supports young people with severe and enduring disabilities. Zoe believes studying at Sussex has definitely influenced her thought process when working - by finding creative new ways to converse with clients.
You can watch a live webcast of Graduation here.