More than 600 students celebrated in style as they graduated as part of Edinburgh College’s class of 2023 at the McEwan Hall last week (2 November).
Students were joined by over 1,800 proud family members and friends who watched as their loved ones crossed the McEwan Hall stage to receive their certificates of achievement.
Graduates from across the College’s curriculum areas were honoured during three ceremonies throughout the day, graduating in subjects across each of the College’s faculties: Health, Wellbeing and Social Science; Tourism, Hospitality and Business; Engineering and Construction; and Creative Industries.
Across the three ceremonies, the College’s best-performing students were also commended by Principal Audrey Cumberford, receiving awards for academic excellence.
Prizes were also awarded on behalf of the Edinburgh College Board of Management to students who have exceeded expectations throughout their College journey.
In addition, around 14 members of College teaching staff were also presented with professional development awards during the ceremonies – celebrating the wealth of CPD opportunities available to staff to support them in their role of educating more than 28,000 students each year.
Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “Graduation is a special time of year, providing an occasion to celebrate all of our students’ hard work and determination shown throughout their time at College.
“The class of 2023 have shown a great commitment and dedication to their studies which will stand them in good stead for whatever they decide to do next. Armed with a college education, I have no doubt that they will go on to achieve great things.
“On behalf of the College’s governing body, management team, tutors, and support staff, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of them. I wish them the very best as they move forward in their further studies and chosen careers.
Jenny Brown has worked with many of the biggest names in Scottish literature
A leading figure in Edinburgh’s book scene, and founding Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, has been recognised with an Honorary Doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University.
Jenny Brown established the literary agency Jenny Brown Associates in 2002, and previously served as Head of Literature at the Scottish Arts Council and presented book programmes for STV.
She is now Vice-Chair of Edinburgh International Book Festival, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Jenny was awarded her new title of Doctor of the University, and collected her Honorary Degree, during Edinburgh Napier’s graduation ceremony at the Usher Hall today (Wednesday), in recognition of her major contribution to literature and publishing.
Jenny Brown Founding director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival receiving an Honorary Doctorate At Edinburgh Napier University
Jenny said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be receiving this Doctorate – it’s a real honour.I’ve had a long association with the University. I’ve talked to the publishing students, I’ve had lots of interns at my literary agency from the publishing course, and I’ve been to the creative writing studios quite a number of times. So it’s a lovely honour.
“It’s thrilling to have somebody who has worked in literature all their life recognised this way. I’m not an academic, I’m somebody who believes in the power of reading and power of writing – and somebody who believes very strongly that Scottish writing has got a lot to offer on the international stage.”
Giving her laureation, David Bishop, creative writing lecturer at ENU’s School of Arts and Creative Industries, said: “If anyone who knows the value of a story, it’s Jenny – a woman who revolutionised the way Scotland thinks about reading, writing and publishing.
“A 40-year career in the arts, festivals, publishing and literature has given Jenny a unique perspective on the ability of writers to move and inspire us, and on the power of stories to entertain, to educate and to enthral.
“There is no doubt Jenny’s involvement has been a significant part in the renaissance of Scotland’s writing and publishing industries.”
Jenny was born in Manchester but grew up in Edinburgh. At the age of 24, she was given six months to pull the first Edinburgh book festival together in 1983. It proved so successful it returned two years later and became the annual fixture it is today.
Today she runs an acclaimed literary agency in Edinburgh with a roster of bestselling and multi-award-winning authors. She has worked with William McIlvanney, the godfather of Tartan Noir, and helps keep alive the work of acclaimed writers such as George Mackay Brown and Alasdair Gray.
In addition to her storied career in literature, Jenny has been a consultant for the creation of Edinburgh Napier’s acclaimed BA English programme, taken on students from the Publishing Masters as interns, and been a frequent guest speaker on the University’s Creative Writing programme.
Edinburgh Napier University hosted a unique graduation ceremony this week for a group of students who successfully completed ENABLE’s Breaking Barriers programme.
The ground-breaking initiative, established by ENABLE in 2018, empowers young people who have a learning disability to access university life whilst being fully supported to thrive. Students can undertake work experience opportunities with a leading global employer and gain a university qualification from a world-class academic institution.
Over the course of several months, a group of students have completed a learning programme at Edinburgh Napier University and a work placement with the course’s corporate partner, multinational professional services provider – EY.
The course aims to tackle the widespread lack of opportunities for young people with learning disabilities to enter the workforce. Recent data shows that while 45% of all Scotland’s school leavers go to university, only 8.6% of school leavers who have a learning disability go on to higher education.
The Breaking Barriers business class of 2022 came together this week for joyful celebrations with friends and family in the River Suite at Edinburgh Napier University. All of the students were successful in achieving their Accreditation in Applied Business Skills.
One of the students Gemma told us what the Breaking Barriers experience has meant to her: “I’m so happy to have successfully completed the Breaking Barriers programme, it was such a valuable experience that has benefited me a lot and I now feel ready to take my next step into further education or employment.
“I used to find school and college quite overwhelming but thanks to the support Breaking Barriers offers, I’ve really enjoyed the university environment and the chance to meet lots of new people. It was lovely to all come together on Wednesday to celebrate our achievement with our family and friends.”
ENABLE CEO and co-founder of the Breaking Barriers programme, Theresa Shearer, said: “Since 2018, the Breaking Barriers programme has made it possible for students who have a learning disability to access the life-shaping experience of university that is a rite of passage for so many, yet it is currently available to so few disabled young people.
“Breaking Barriers demonstrates how the public, private and third sectors can work collaboratively to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in education and the workplace. Thanks to our partners at Edinburgh Napier University and EY, I am delighted to see those opportunities extended to even more young people across Scotland, and I congratulate what I am sure will be the first group of many from the programme at Napier.”
Philip Milne, EY Sponsor Partner in Scotland for Breaking Barriers, said:“It was our pleasure to welcome the Breaking Barriers students to our team for six weeks. As part of their work placement, the students rotated across all of our core service lines, showed curiosity by asking pertinent questions, and importantly grew in confidence every week.
“At the graduation event we heard the success stories of students who had been encouraged by their experience, to explore further education and employment – a true example of how breaking barriers down can make a difference.”
ENABLE runs the Breaking Barriers programme through its ENABLE Works division that sets out to break down barriers to employment for people living with a learning disability.
Currently the specialist employability service is embedded within 28 local authorities across Scotland and supports 5,500 people each year. The development programmes are all about getting people of all ages ready for work – and supporting their individual needs every step of the way.
Professor Nazira Karodia, Vice Principal of Learning and Teaching at Edinburgh Napier University said: “We have been delighted to welcome our ENABLE students to our Craiglockhart campus, where our vision is to be the Business School for empowerment, enterprise, and employability for all.
“Our ethos as a university is to be the home for difference makers. Not everyone has an opportunity to change the world, but everyone can make a positive difference to the world around them: working with fantastic partners like ENABLE and EY is truly helping to break down barriers faced by young people with learning difficulties.”
The Breaking Barriers programme, which originated in the West of Scotland, has entered its fifth year and works with corporate partners including STV, Scottish Power and EY, with courses at both Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Strathclyde.
The University of Strathclyde recently expanded the programme offering to include a science cohort, giving young people with learning disabilities the chance to focus on STEM subjects both in a classroom and work placement setting for the first time. This launched in September 2022 and will run for twelve weeks.
For more information on the programme and how to apply please visit:
Nine students have celebrated their graduation at the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Learning for Life Academy in a special ceremony hosted within the new visitor experience to toast their success.
The students have completed the six-week bartending and hospitality course which offers young people entry level training in bartending and hospitality, including work experience in local pubs, bars and restaurants.
All participants of this cohort have been offered the opportunity to interview for a role at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh, which is due to open in spring 2022 in a major move which will see the iconic brand expand beyond the Perthshire hills for the first time in its almost 100-year history.
Congratulating the students on their graduation, Gleneagles’ Director of People & Culture, Emma Simpson, said: “Hospitality is an industry like no other. Dynamic, exciting and rewarding in equal measure, there are very few career paths that present the same breadth of roles and opportunities for continuous professional development and progression.
“It’s wonderful to see so many young people kickstarting their hospitality careers through this programme which is helping to nurture the next generation of talent here in Edinburgh. We’re thrilled for the graduates and look forward to following and supporting them as they progress in their careers.”
Diageo Learning for Life is an award-winning bartender training programme, through which the company invests £1m-per-year in offering opportunities to young unemployed people in the UK to get into hospitality careers.
Since launch in Scotland in 2014, over 4,000 people have graduated from the programme with 88% going on to sustained employment and a further 6% going on to further education.
Ewan Ritchie, from Midlothian, is celebrating his graduation from the course which has recently completed in Edinburgh, only the second course to be held in the new Learning for Life Academy at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
The new Johnnie Walker Princes Street visitor experience has a dedicated bar for the Learning for Life programme, giving students access to world class training. The academy provides ample space for presentations, tutorials and lessons as well as a large, open bar area where people can learn and hone the skills they learn.
Ewan, said:“The last six weeks have been absolutely fantastic and I am so grateful to have been able to work with such a wonderful team to kickstart my career in hospitality.
“My favourite part of the course was learning practical skills and gaining product knowledge from inspirational trainers and Ambassadors within the Industry]. I really look forward to starting my full time front of house role within the new Gleneagles Townhouse.”
Gillian Dalziel, Learning for Life Programme Manager in the UK said:“Congratulations to all the students that have graduated today. It has been great to see all their hard work come to fruition.
“At Diageo we aim to promote sustainable growth through inclusive programmes and Learning for Life plays an important role in giving young people the opportunity to kickstart a career in such a vibrant industry.”
The Learning for Life course in Edinburgh was delivered by Diageo partner The Springboard Charity, who works closely with Diageo to ensure the highest quality training and experience is delivered to Learning for Life students.
Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said: “This has been another hugely successful course, delivered to a group of engaged and enthusiastic individuals in Scotland.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the graduates and are delighted that they have all been offered interviews at Gleneagles Townhouse. The Learning for Life Academy at Johnnie Walker Princes Street is already proving itself as a vital training centre, making a positive impact on improving the hospitality talent pipeline in Edinburgh.”
To find out more about Diageo Learning for Life and how to apply, please visit:
Recent University of Edinburgh graduates celebrated their achievements at a unique event last night with the help of two city icons – Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo!
This was the first in a series of celebrations across four days with nearly five thousand graduates from summer/winter 2020 and summer 2021, plus their guests, taking part in these processions in the magnificent setting of the Castle.
Combining two of Edinburgh’s most famous institutions, the Tattoo and the University of Edinburgh, provided graduates and their guests with a night to remember.
Attendees were piped over the Castle drawbridge, then led in a procession by senior University academics, walking up through the Portcullis Gate and past the cannons, through Foogs Gate then into Castle Square accompanied by Tattoo dancers, pipers, drummers and fiddlers who provided entertainment along the way.
Graduates and their guests then entered the magnificent Great Hall, where they were capped by the University of Edinburgh’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Mathieson.
The first group were joined in their procession by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who walked with them and passed on her congratulations to graduates.
Professor Peter Mathieson said:“Over the last 18 months, our students have faced challenges like no others before them, so it’s fantastic to offer them such a special event to celebrate not only their achievements, but their resilience and commitment shown throughout the pandemic.
“It was a truly memorable moment to see our former students complete their University journey at such a spectacular and iconic setting and we are very grateful to the teams at the Tattoo and Castle for working with us to make it possible.”
Buster Howes, CEO of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “We’re committed to supporting the people and organisations of Edinburgh as the City starts to open up again.
“It’s been a privilege to collaborate with the University of Edinburgh and Historic Environment Scotland to give Edinburgh’s graduates a chance to celebrate with their families, their achievements over four years, which latterly have entailed significant challenges.
“We wish Edinburgh University’s graduates every success in the future – this is just the beginning for them!”
For more information about this year’s University of Edinburgh graduation, please visit: www.ed.ac.uk
