Tag: graduations 2024

Couple travel from Barbados to Edinburgh to graduate together

Sheldon and Cathy Ann Layne have been studying for their MBA at Edinburgh Napier University

A married couple from Barbados have proved a formidable partnership, after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) at the same time.

Sheldon and Cathy Ann Layne decided to study for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at ENU in 2020, and have now completed the course online alongside their work in risk management.

The husband and wife travelled from their home in Bridgetown to join Business School students and cross the stage during a graduation ceremony at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall yesterday [July 4].

Their small study group was bolstered by close friend and work colleague Jennifer Simone Davis-Adesegha, who graduated from the course last year.

Reflecting on their journey, 46-year-old Sheldon said: “Studying together was interesting at times! They call me ‘Mr By-The-Book’ – I don’t like anything to compromise our studies.

“We always wanted to do something which would advance our careers academically. Being able to offer each other encouragement was a big help.”

Cathy Ann, who is 45, said: “We definitely have varying perspectives and individual study patterns – I’m a morning person and Sheldon isn’t, for example!

“This was our first time studying a major course online, which took some time to adapt to, but we got there.

“We all work for the same institution, so it was difficult to find time for study sessions during the week. We ended up doing a lot of group sessions on Saturdays.”

The MBA programme at Edinburgh Napier University is a postgraduate qualification which is designed to build on students’ work experience and develop skills like leadership, problem solving and business theory.

For Sheldon and Cathy Ann their graduation marks the end of a rewarding journey, which included a short spell having to self-isolate in a UK hotel during the Covid pandemic.

Sheldon added: “If one of us wasn’t feeling up to studying, we would push each other to stay on track.

“We’re grateful that we could study at our own pace. We had good support, with very responsive lecturers.”

New mum celebrates graduation with three-week-old daughter

Patrycja Cwalina has completed her accounting degree at Edinburgh Napier University

A new mum has two reasons to celebrate her Edinburgh Napier University graduation – picking up her degree just three weeks after giving birth to her baby daughter!

Student Patrycja Cwalina welcomed her first child, Lydia, into the world on 13 June, and arrived back home in time to discover she had successfully completed her Accounting degree.

Three-week-old Lydia, along with Patrycja’s partner Ryan, was able to celebrate her mum’s achievement at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today [4 July].

For the 24-year-old, who moved from Lubin in Poland to Edinburgh nearly a decade ago, it marks the end of a whirlwind final year at ENU.

She said: “It was a little bit challenging. Thankfully I didn’t have much morning sickness, but the first three months of my pregnancy did come at the same time as exams!”

“It was stressful, but Lydia made it easy for me.

“I’m so proud of myself that I managed to finish my studies while being pregnant and working.

“I feel like this is my biggest achievement and as hard as it was, I’m really happy I got to experience my final year with my daughter in my womb.

“She gave me strength and I wanted to do the best for her to have better future.”

Patrycja joined hundreds of peers from The Business School at Edinburgh Napier University in celebrating the completion of their studies at the Usher Hall today.

Now she is planning to turn her attention to settling in as a family, with a new graduate job on the horizon.

She added: “I did a placement which led to a job offer, which I’ll start in September.

“That’s what kept me motivated during my final year – that I’d have a few months to enjoy with Lydia, then I can start work.

“I picked Edinburgh Napier because of the enthusiasm of the lecturers – you can tell that they really care about what they’re doing.

“I have had such a great experience here.”