Graduates, friends, family and staff got together to acknowledge the achievements of Harrow College and Uxbridge College’s Higher Education students at our recent graduation ceremony - one of the highlights of the college calendar.
The graduates on the HNC, HND and Professional Diploma programmes were all gowned and presented with their awards at the HE Graduation Ceremony, held for the first time on our Uxbridge Campus. They celebrated afterwards with drinks and a buffet as well as taking part in the traditional custom of throwing their ‘mortar boards’ (caps) up in the air.
The event marked the achievements of our Higher Education (HE) graduates who have studied an array of qualifications across the curriculum areas of Business, Civil Engineering & Construction, Digital & Computing, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Performance and Travel & Tourism Management. These qualifications are studied through Harrow College, Uxbridge College and the college group’s West London Institute of Technology (WLIoT) which specialises in higher level technical skills in Construction, Digital and Engineering.
A number of students have progressed straight into ‘top-up’ degrees – university programmes that HND students can join in the final undergraduate year, providing them with the opportunity to gain a qualification with their two years of study at College and adding to that with a degree through their university studies. Taking an HND qualification at college and then progressing to university is a perfect opportunity to combine theory with lots of practical skills and application, along with employer-focused briefs and projects and ultimately gain two qualifications.
Keith Smith, CEO of HRUC (Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges), welcomed our graduates and guests and shared how proud the College Group is of all of our graduates, who have worked so hard to achieve their HE qualifications. He also acknowledged the support of their families, friends as well as the colleges’ teaching teams, who all help to play their part in the graduates’ success.
The awards were then presented by Dylan McTaggart, Principal of Uxbridge College & Deputy CEO of HRUC and Jo Withers, Principal of Harrow College who were delighted to see so many students celebrating their success.
Dylan said:
“It’s a real honour to be here today and such a pleasure to see everyone in their traditional caps and gowns. It is a huge achievement to succeed at Level 4 & 5. These awards are university undergraduate level and are the highest-level qualifications taught at Uxbridge College and Harrow College.
We all feel extremely proud of all our graduates and it is wonderful to see so many either going on to university study, or directly into the careers of their choice, thanks to gaining the skills they need that are so highly in demand by industry.
Congratulations to all of you – it is a pleasure and a privilege to be here today to celebrate your academic and professional success.”
Jo also referenced the opportunities that the WLIoT has brought to the majority of our HE students:
“Many of you have studied your HE awards through the IoT, which is home to many of our HNC and HND qualifications, as well as our technical apprenticeships, and other higher-level programmes.
The IoT has of course brought together expertise which has been a core part of college life for so long. There are exciting developments ongoing, as we continue to ensure all our students have the best HE experience they can, by continually changing and expanding, to ensure we are as responsive as possible to the needs of both our students and that of industry.
Without a doubt, IoTs play a critical part in underpinning London and the UK’s resource for creating a better-skilled higher-level technical STEM workforce. With the qualifications you have been awarded, you will be an asset to your future employers.”
For more information about HE qualifications for Uxbridge College and Harrow College as well as those that form part of the West London Institute of Technology please visit:
www.harrow.ac.uk/courses/higher-education
www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk/courses/higher-education
In January 2023, Harrow College & Uxbridge College merged with Richmond upon Thames College to form HRUC – Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges. Each college still has its own identity and name but we are now part of London’s newest college group and are top performing with provision across all key curriculum areas offering opportunities for students at all levels from foundation and Entry Level to Level 5.
This year’s graduation celebrated the last set of students to graduate from HCUC (Harrow College & Uxbridge College).