Celebrating a love of learning

Over 100 graduates celebrated graduating from Teesside University Darlington during a Valentine’s Day ceremony.

The graduates and their 331 guests gathered at Darlington’s Civic Theatre on Monday 14 February to celebrate their successes in a joint Teesside University and Darlington College graduation ceremony.

The ceremony was the fourth annual graduation to take place in the town and the last before Teesside University opens its new £13m campus in Darlington this summer. The £13m five-storey campus building, currently under construction, is located beside Darlington College’s buildings in Central Park off Haughton Road.

Nathan Vengatachalam, who is originally from India, graduated with a BA (Hons) Business Management (Hospitality).

He said: ‘Being able to study at Darlington provided me with a great opportunity. It’s my dream to become a lecturer. I think the new campus in Darlington will provide a great opportunity for study in the future.’

Henry Jenkinson, who completed a Foundation Degree in Computer Networking, added: ‘I was able to carry on working and look after my kids while attending a full time course. I think Teesside opening a new campus in Darlington is brilliant - it’s on the doorstep of everyone in the outlying areas of Darlington so everyone has a University within reach.’

Celebrating achievement Lord Sawyer of Darlington, Teesside University’s Chancellor, awarded the graduates’ certificates.

He said: ‘I am delighted to be here with you in the town where I was born, with the staff and students of Darlington College, where I was a student myself. It’s very special for me to come here and celebrate the achievements of our students and always a pleasure to come to Darlington and get involved as the Chancellor of Teesside University. It’s a particular privilege to be here as the Darlington ceremonies celebrate their fourth year.

‘Great plans are underway here in Darlington and I feel proud that this generation of students will see the transformation of Darlington into a university town for generations of the future.’

Teesside University and Darlington College are working together to bring new and exciting higher education opportunities to the town of Darlington.

The new build has been funded by the University, One North East, via Tees Valley Unlimited and Darlington Council and is closely supported by Darlington College.

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