Graduates' Celebrations Fill Buxton Dome
28 March 2011
Graduates of the Buxton Faculty celebrate on March 26
Chef Sat Bains receiving his honorary degree
A record number of students celebrated their graduation on Saturday March 26 at the University of Derby Buxton's annual Awards Ceremony.
The Buxton Campus' iconic Dome was filled with 210 students, their families and friends for the glittering ceremony and meal that followed. They were joined at the ceremony by honorary graduates the Michelin-star chef, Sat Bains, and renowned business guru, Professor Mike Wright. All were handed their awards by the Chancellor of the University, the Duke of Devonshire, and Vice Chancellor, Professor John Coyne.
Professor Coyne said: "It was sad that we had to postpone the original event in December due to the heavy snow but we were delighted to see so many graduates here to celebrate today."
Dean of the University of Derby Buxton Dr Peter Dewhurst said: "Graduation is the moment when everything comes together. The setting has never looked better and more students graduated on Saturday than ever before. We wish all of our graduates well in their future careers and hope they enjoyed this special day."
Chef Sat Bains, who received the Honorary Award of Doctor of Professional Practice (HonDPr), attended the ceremony with his wife Amanda, and parents Tarsem and Balbir.
He said: "I feel blown away to have been honoured in this way. I am not from an academic background but hope this achievement shows others what is possible and gives them a boost.
"I wish all the graduating students well in their futures. They should keep focused and have a vision for what they want to achieve and not give up."
Professor Mike Wright attended the ceremony with his wife Maryse. On receiving the Honorary Award of Doctor of the University (Hon DUniv) he said: "I am proud and humbled to be receiving the Honorary Award today. I have been particularly taken with the work that has gone into making the Buxton Campus such a wonderful setting. It has enjoyed a fantastic renaissance and the graduation atmosphere has been excellent."
Some of the graduating students hailed from nearby areas, such as Mathew Armett, from Brookfold, Chapel-en-le-Frith. Matthew graduated on Saturday with a Joint Honours Degree in Public Relations and Media Applications.
He said: "I studied for my A levels at Harpur Hill and my tutor at the time told me about the opportunities on offer at the University's Buxton Campus. I've really enjoyed studying here."
The University also attracts students from around the world to its internationally respected programmes, and many were able to return to Buxton for the ceremony. Haruna Sasaki, 23, travelled from her home in Fukui, Japan, despite the country's recent natural disaster. Haruna received a 2:1 BA (Hons) degree in Professional Culinary Arts and an award for student achievement from the Institute of Hospitality.
Haruna said: "I am delighted to be graduating today. It took 15 hours to travel from Japan but it was worth it to be here. We live 800km from the main disaster zone in Japan. It was an awful disaster but people are just trying to pull together and help each other."
For videos and photographs of the day, visit Connected's Bigger Picture soon or for more information on any of the programmes available at the University of Derby Buxton visit www.derby.ac.uk/udb
