Vice-Chancellor urges Teesside graduates to grasp every opportunity

Teesside University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson CBE DL has urged this year’s graduates to remain ambitious and grasp every available opportunity.

The Vice-Chancellor was speaking to over 4,000 graduates and their guests over 13 graduation ceremonies taking place this week at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

Professor Henderson CBE DL, said: 'All of you clearly have amazing potential. The world really is your oyster, if you grab hold of the opportunities available.

'People with qualifications start ahead of the game and a degree provides transferrable skills. Inspiration and satisfaction can be found in unexpected places. Your degree is a key to staking claim on a broad spectrum of opportunities.'

He added: 'While this is a celebration of the achievements of our graduates, it’s also a celebration of the achievements of the University, which, I’m proud to say continues to go from strength to strength.

'We do have a long history, celebrating both our 82nd birthday this year and our 20th year as a University. And those 20 years have been an amazing journey for us.

'Secretary of State Dr Vince Cable recently described the University as a brilliant place and one of the best in Britain. David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, reinforced this message when he recently visited our new Darlington campus and commented that the Government was a great admirer of what Teesside had achieved.'

Developments over the past two decades have included

• growth in student numbers by over 300% • investment of around £200million in developing a modern campus • the opening of a new University campus in Darlington • consistent National Student Survey results for overall student satisfaction – while the international equivalent, the i-barometer, puts Teesside in the UK’s top four for international student satisfaction • this year being chosen as one of three universities included in a national project showcasing Teesside’s ‘can do’ business solutions approach • in 2009/10 Teesside became the first – and is still the only – modern University to receive the accolade of University of the Year.

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