Truro Cathedral was a buzz of excitement on Saturday 18 October as over 700 students, family members and staff celebrated the 27th Graduation ceremony of the University Centre Truro & Penwith, under the Cathedral’s spectacular Mars: War & Peace exhibition and Luke Jerram’s 7-meter replica of the red planet.
The Graduates’ mission was accomplished, bringing their futures into focus as they progress to embark on careers on the frontline of Cornwall’s NHS, as educators in our classrooms and commercial innovators, specialising in software development, business, leadership, law, creative industries and as guardians of our history, heritage and culture.
Before the presentation of scrolls, James McBlane, BSc (Hons) Archaeology Graduand, was presented the University Centre Truro & Penwith Award for Excellence, by Dr Emily Myatt, Dean of the University Centre.
James gave a touching and celebratory speech to inspire and celebrate the momentous occasion with the story of his journey to Malta, where he is now studying his Masters as a fully qualified Maritime Archaeologist, thanks to his time at the University Centre.
James said: “I now stand before you a fully qualified, award-winning Maritime Archaeologist, currently studying my Masters in Malta in Global Underwater Maritime Archaeology, as a rescue diver with specialist knowledge in underwater excavation and shipwreck site assessments and I achieved all of this in three-years at the University Centre Truro and Penwith. We’re incredibly lucky to have an institution of this quality on our doorstep here in Cornwall. My best memories are the friendships I’ve made with my lecturers. They stop being just your tutors and become your peers – and friends. That personal connection is something truly special about studying at the University Centre.”
James crossed continents to achieve his degree and his place at the University of Malta. True to his mantra; “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone”, James has been hailed as Cornwall’s very own Indianna Jones, taking part in deep dive training in Gran Canaria, Santa Polo and Malta before being commissioned to digitally map the seabed off the remote Caribbean Island of Bonaire alongside his studies, later leading a team in Egypt to explore a WWII shipwreck for his dissertation project. James addressed the 700-strong audience despite a dislocated shoulder and broken ribs, a story he noted was; “for another time”.
Scrolls were presented by the University Centre Dean Dr Emily Myatt, highlighting many students who had achieved the esteemed Principal’s Commendation for their commitment to study. Several other highly regarded awards were also presented.
Rebecca Harvey, FdSc Health & Wellbeing Graduand, was awarded the University of Plymouth Partnership Prize demonstrating extraordinary courage, having started her studies on the waiting list for a lung transplant and later receiving the devastating news that her health condition is terminal and a transplant would not be possible. Rebecca chose to continue her studies despite this news in an inspiring story of determination and resilience.
Rebecca said: “I continued with my studies despite my personal health issues because it made me feel good and I wanted to show my children that you can still achieve something even when things are difficult. My lecturers have been so supportive. I had to complete some lessons from home because I physically couldn’t get into the University Centre, but they always made sure I was included in everything.”
Babrah Orishaba, BA (Hons) Human Behavioural Studie Graduand, is now studying her PhD having crossed continents to successfully complete her degree in Truro.
After emigrating from Uganda to take up a role at the Uganda High Commission in London, Babrah visited Cornwall on holiday, where she fell in love with the county and discovered the University Centre Truro & Penwith. With a passion for supporting people and a dream of a career change to Clinical Psychology, Babrah opted to study the University Centre’s Access to Higher Education course in Psychology and Social Work that would allow her to gain the qualifications to study at Degree-Level. Babrah single-handedly relocated her young family again, successfully completing the Access course before progressing to the University Centre’s HND in Applied Psychology and later its BA (Hons) Human Behavioural Studies.
Babrah said: “Without the support of the University Centre Truro & Penwith staff, I wouldn’t have made it on my own, they are so supportive and keep encouraging you. I have made friends that have been my rock, supporting each other in every way, and some of them are single mums too, we encourage each other, have a coffee and say ‘you can do it’. I have a gift of helping and supporting people, so due to that gift I feel I have to study to be a Doctor in Psychology and help people who are struggling.”
Preceding the presentation of scrolls, supportive friends, family, fellow classmates and staff received a warm welcome from Reverend Kieren Marwood, before hearing from Robert Townsend, Chair of Governors and special guests from awarding partners the University of Plymouth, University of Greenwich and Martin Tucker, Principal at Truro and Penwith College, who was attending his last Graduation before retiring in Easter having spent 41-years inspiring students. Martin addressed the audience and said: “The real privilege of our work is to give people the opportunity to learn, develop and change. That means that the communities they serve can develop and make progress too.
“The University Centre is always updating and introducing new courses to meet the emerging skills needs identified in the county. As Cornwall establishes itself as a leader in renewable technology key areas that have seen development are linked to Offshore Wind, Lithium, Geothermal, Tin Extraction, Electric Vehicle Technology, and Renewable Technology in Construction. We continue to train Nurses, Nursing Associates and Operating Department Practitioners here in Cornwall many of whom are graduating today. These graduates have now entered direct employment in the county and are helping to address the skills shortages in our Health Services.
“My congratulations to all the graduates and on their behalf a thank you to their families and friends who have supported them through this incredible journey.”
Speaking after his final Graduation ceremony, Martin added: “This is exactly why I came into education. I will certainly miss it; the splendour of Graduation in this incredible setting has always been one of the highlights of the year.”
After the final scroll was presented and the event drew to a close Graduates departed Truro Cathedral safe in the knowledge that their future careers are now closer than ever before. Photos taken on the day of the event are available to download on Pixieset using the following link Grad 2025 by FSI Marketing.
University Courses are closer than you think; with over 40 courses and higher-level Apprenticeships under its Commercial, Education and Health Hubs including; Engineering, Construction, Teaching, Nursing, Cyber Security and Business, there has never been a better time to think about changing your future at the University Centre Truro & Penwith. If you’ve been thinking about a change in direction and are interested in a subject area, discuss your options at the University Centre on Truro College Open Day on 22 November or the dedicated Get into Teaching Information Evening on 18 November, head to www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/events to find out more.
