Students at Glasgow University’s Dumfries campus celebrated their graduation at an awards ceremony held in the Crichton Memorial Church on Wednesday.
The School of Interdisciplinary Studies delivers a range of degrees covering the health and social sector, environmental science, sustainability, tourism and education – including a brand-new Postgraduate Diploma in Education for Secondary STEM subjects.
The university, which has been in Dumfries for more than 20 years, typically welcomes students from over 25 countries to study at the campus.
Amongst the 85 graduates is Dumfries Lions Club Bowl prizewinner, Edwina Dominic who completed a BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Sustainability.
Originally from Malaysia, Edwina made the move to Dumfries in 2018 and has enjoyed her time studying, working and living in the area.
She said: “I think Dumfries is a great place to study this topic.
“I love the small town and it really helped with my nerves to know I wasn’t moving overseas to a big city. Everyone has been very friendly.”
The Environmental Science and Sustainability programme sees students engaging in a range of practical activities, but Edwina went beyond the core requirements of her course to seek out additional opportunities.
Throughout the university’s COP26 activities, she took on an internship, working with staff to produce a public event in Dumfries as well as digital content relating to climate action.
Professor Carol Hill, head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and director of campus, said: “We have such a unique offering here in Dumfries.
“We deliver world class, research-led teaching and learning, surrounded by the incredible living laboratory of our region.
“The School of Interdisciplinary Studies gives students the opportunity to engage in critical analysis during their studies and leave as a graduate ready to tackle the world’s biggest problems.”
The event was the first in-person graduation ceremony since 2019.
Professor Hill added: “Graduation is the most important date in our academic calendar.
I am delighted that we have once again been able to welcome our staff, students and their families onto campus to mark this occasion and celebrate academic achievement.
“I have no doubt that those who graduated this week will move on to the next challenge with the weight of their experience behind them.”
Each year, there are several individual writing prizes and this year’s winners are:
The Dumfries Lions Club Bowl: Edwina Dominic. The Kirkpatrick Dobie Prize for creative writing: Emma Berry.
The Muriel Carmichael Prize for best piece of academic writing (Undergraduate): Ailsa Millar.
The Muriel Carmichael Prize for best piece of academic writing (Postgraduate): Lorraine Blackwood and Andrew Gibson (joint winners). The Professor Roland Terry Prize: Nobin Rahman.
College of Social Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy Interdisciplinary Studies: Miriam Ann Bibby, Sophie Natasha Brett, David William Clelland, Julie Lang.
Master of Science Tourism Development and Culture: Mariana Daniela Alcántara Palacios.
Master of Arts with Honours Health and Social Sector Leadership: Jeni Rae Learmont, Callum Henry Morrison, Debra Willox.
Master of Arts (Teaching) with Honours Primary Education: Beth Allen, Chloe Michelle Anderson, Megan Backhouse, Chloe Beggs, Aileen Bell, Alice Hannah Best, Alicia Boden, Hannah Broadhurst, Iona Walker Cook, Ross Paul Cormack, Beth Helen Dickson, Olivia Reitano Gibson, Rhea Janeen Gibson, Sarah Hamilton, Coral Chantelle Harkness, Jade Hannah Henderson, Beth Louise Jaekel, Jodie McAvoy, Olivia Charlotte McCabe, Leah Elizabeth McCaskie, Sharean McConnell, Niamh Catherine Sherry McDevitt, Scott James William Miller, Lucy Murray, Laura Peggie, Laura Anne Penman, Natalie Anna Ross, Thomas Russell, Emma Hazel Ryan, Gillian Sarah Scott, Erin Elizabeth Wallace, Lauren White.
Bachelor of Science with Honours Environmental Science and Sustainability: Aidan William Bathgate, Samuel James Cook, Melanie Decker, De Marchi Paolo, Edwina Nisha Dominic, Shaunagh Duncan, Bartholomew Charles Franklin, Innes Francis Gilling, Tehya Terise Henry, Di Huang, Manon Kennedy, Thomas Guido Ortega Pardinas.
