Darlington graduates celebrate their University success

The University of Teesside hosted its first academic awards ceremony in Darlington on Friday 7 March at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre, for students who achieved a University of Teesside award at Darlington College.

Awards received ranged from Foundation Degrees in Journalism to Higher National Certificates in Engineering. Graduates received their awards from the University’s Chancellor, Lord Sawyer of Darlington.

In addition to the graduates’ achievements, Lord Sawyer also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from the University to Alasdair MacConachie OBE FRSA DL.

Alasdair MacConachie’s achievements include:

• the holder of the OBE for services to Darlington
• Chair of the Board of St Teresa's hospice, Darlington
• Vice Lieutenant of County Durham
• Chair of the Darlington Strategic Partnership
• Chair of Durham School
• the longstanding Chair of Darlington College's Board of Governors
• a career as a very successful local businessman.

Councillor John Williams, Leader of Darlington Council, said: ‘I am delighted that the University of Teesside is to award an Honorary Doctorate to Alasdair MacConachie on this important celebration of learning in Darlington. Alasdair has a real passion for education and has been a driving force behind the vision for Darlington to have a university. It is fitting that he will receive the award at the first academic ceremony to be held in Darlington - the first of many I hope as more of our young people and adults take up the opportunities offered by higher education.’

The University of Teesside has long-established links with Darlington College. Last year the University opened a £2m Centre within the College. The Centre provides a number of courses including professional management and business, education, journalism and digital media, engineering, construction management, early years and access to health. And there are further plans to open a free-standing University building next to the Darlington College, to create an enhanced further and higher education campus.

Lord Sawyer said: ‘When I was an apprentice at Chapman’s Workshops I used to cycle past the Darlington College site four times a day, going to work, home for lunch and back again. It’s really strange seeing what’s happened, it gives me perspective. Seeing this transformation and change, it’s almost like having two lives. It’s fantastic to see the wonderful progress in this town and in this College. The progress is essential to the renaissance of the town, Darlington is coming on in every sense and the College adds to it in every sense.

‘The partnership between the University and Darlington College is absolutely splendid. Students are the most important people in any educational institution, their lives, their opportunities, that’s why we’re hosting this ceremony. I’m proud to attend it, proud of the University and its achievements and proud of the College as well. Both are widening access and widening opportunity for the people we are here to serve.’

Professor Graham Henderson, University of Teesside Vice-Chancellor, said: ‘The University is delighted to hold its first academic awards ceremony in Darlington. We have major plans in Darlington with our partners Darlington College and Darlington Council and today is a fantastic celebration of our present partnership and our exciting future.’

Sarah Robinson Principal and Chief Executive of Darlington College, said: ‘The University awards ceremony is a special occasion marking the achievement of all our University of Teesside students studying at Darlington College. Congratulations to all our graduates and I hope their achievements will inspire other young people in Darlington to continue their learning and become University graduates in the future.’

Paul Metcalfe was one of the graduates enjoying Friday’s ceremony. Paul, 21, from West Cornforth, County Durham, is a Mechanical Engineer for Johnson Matthey Catalysts in Billingham.

Paul has achieved an Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Manufacturing Engineering from the University, following two years of part-time study at Darlington College. He was sponsored to complete the HNC by his employers.

Paul said: ‘Thanks to the HNC my Maths and Management skills have really developed. Without a shadow of a doubt it helped studying at Darlington College, it’s closer to home, all the facilities are on one site and you get the University experience. It’s given me a good grounding, a simple way to build towards a University degree.’

Paul is now studying for a University of Teesside Foundation Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Darlington. When he finishes this in the summer Paul aims to continue with a Teesside BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering. Paul’s parents Ronald and Susan and his sister Claire will be attending the ceremony.

Paul added: ‘The ceremony is a good way of recognising Darlington’s contribution to the University. My Mam was very pleased to see me in the cap and gown for the first time, she’s always had this big vision of me graduating from University.”

Paul is a former pupil of Tudhoe Grange School, Spennymoor.

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