75 students graduate from University of Gibraltar

This year the largest cohort have graduated from the University of Gibraltar since it was established, with 75 students across seven different courses donning their caps and gowns.

This marked the University's third graduation event, and for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic the University graduations could be celebrated in one large event.

Some 62 students attended in person, with 13 graduating in absentia.

Dr Darren Fa, the University's Director of Academic Programmes and Research, said the University was making great inroads, with students from countries such as India and South America amongst the graduates.

He added this was a very proud day for all involved.

This year the MSc in Marine Science and Climate Change was the most popular course with 28 graduates, this was followed by 21 in the PGCE course.

Dr Fa said the Marine Science course was piquing the interest of international students.

Other courses included the Bachelor of Business Administration, MBA, Executive MBA, MA Leadership and Management, and there were three PhD students.

He said the University is becoming successful in attracting international students to study in Gibraltar.

Every student of the 28 in the Marine Science course were international students.

"Gibraltar is starting to become a centre of excellence in that particular area," he said.

He added Gibraltar is becoming a centre of excellence in responsible gaming.

"These are niche areas were we can do very well and have an international profile," he said.

Graduation day saw students and their families celebrate their achievements, with the event chaired by the University’s Chancellor, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and Vice-Chancellor Prof Catherine Bachleda.

As part of the event, the University presented two individuals with ‘special recognition awards’, and the valedictorian of each graduating cohort was invited onto the stage to address their friends and colleagues.

Receiving the special recognition award was Dr Tim Burton.

Dr Burton was integral to the development of the University of Gibraltar’s Quality Handbook, which came into effect in 2019. The introduction of the Quality Handbook formed the basis for the University’s robust academic quality framework, which was commended by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

The Quality Handbook sets out the Academic Regulations for taught programmes and research degrees, and the University’s Codes of Practice, which together enables the University to meet academic standards and deliver a high quality education experience.

The second recognition award was presented to Stephen Reyes, who is Group Chair of the University of Gibraltar’s Business Key Advisory Group (KAG), which provides advice and support to decisions regarding the University’s provision of Business education and training.

In addition to his role within the KAG, Stephen is a member of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Capstone Project Assessment Panel. Here he draws on his extensive industry experience while evaluating students’ ability to apply the comprehensive theoretical knowledge, understanding and skills they are expected to have obtained throughout their degree.

The valedictorian for the Bachelor of Business Administration was Jose Miguel Herrera Rivas.

Anthony O’Mahony was the valedictorian for the Master of Business Administration, and Sandy Drieschner for the Executive MBA in Healthcare Management.

Janella Borrell was the valedictorian in the PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) course, Bethany Louisa Lesley Wilkinson for MSc Marine Science and Climate Change (January 2021 cohort) and Alice Lauren Bruemmer for MSc Marine Science and Climate Change in this year’s cohort.

Frederick Edward Martin was the valedictorian for the MA Leadership and Management.