Achievement takes centre stage at Portsmouth Graduation ceremonies

Over 6,000 students from 124 countries will receive their degrees and professional qualifications during the University of Portsmouth’s 2018 Graduation ceremonies this week.

This year’s ceremonies are the first to be presided over by Karen Blackett OBE, the University’s new Chancellor.

“Graduation is a highlight of the academic year, not just for our graduands but for the whole University community,” said Professor Graham Galbraith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth. “It is a time for us all to celebrate and share the experiences and achievements of our students with family, friends and fellow graduates.”

Karen Blackett OBE said: “This is an immensely proud day for all of the students and their friends and families. I am honoured to be sharing it with them as their Chancellor. I am an alumni of the University and I still remember how emotional this day is, and the smiling faces of my own mother and late father, as my name was called out to collect my certificate. Their very visible sense of joy and pride was infectious.

“Your time at university shapes who you go on to become and what you achieve. I am certain that the experience of our graduation students at the University of Portsmouth will have helped them unlock their true potential, and fuel their self-belief, as it did with me.”

The University will also present seven honorary awards to leading figures from the fields of business, community relations, health, nursing and philanthropy. They are Dr Cecilia Anim CBE, President of the Royal College of Nursing; prominent Portsmouth community champion Marie Costa; Professor Kevin Fenton, Director for Health and Wellbeing for the London Borough of Southwark; Clare Martin, CEO of Pompey in the Community;  Bill Salmond, former Chair of Governors at the University of Portsmouth; entrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley; and Julian Wadsworth MBE, who has been involved in youth services across the city for over 20 years.

The 18 Graduation ceremonies will be held in Portsmouth Guildhall from Saturday 14 July to Friday 20 July.

All the ceremonies will be broadcast live on the University’s Graduation website at http://www.port.ac.uk/graduation/live/