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International recognition
21 July 2007
We get an increasing amount of positive feedback relating to the University’s role in the community, including events such as Graduation.
One letter received last week is interesting because it alludes to comparisons with English universities. I thought it could be one of those rare occasions when I use such feedback verbatim (anonymity protected), just to reflect what an international visitor of standing thinks of the University:
“My son graduated from your university on May 10th. My wife and I were able to be there at the Graduation Ceremony and would like to thank all the staff who worked so hard to ensure that the ceremony was something which the graduates will remember all their lives.
We were so impressed with the occasion and the way that the programme had been arranged. ‘B’ is the last of our three children to graduate, so we have experience of attending such ceremonies here in England. I have not been to a better graduation than the one at your university. The whole evening was very well orchestrated and everything ran so smoothly. You took the trouble to explain everything in the programme, and I particularly liked the description of the different Academic dress worn by the participants and the description of the ceremony itself. The programme was inspiring, from the singing to the excellent addresses given by you and the Chancellor as well as those being given Honouree (sic) Doctorates. The reception afterwards, the delicious wine and food were also most welcome.
I am a member of the Court of Exeter University here in England. Recently we in Cornwall opened our own university, the main campus being just outside Falmouth. Like yours, it is the newest university in the country.
I hope in the future that links can be made between both our areas as we are very similar, in that you on the Sunshine Coast and we here in Cornwall depend a great deal on the tourist industry, and both our areas attract young people because of the sea and the surf. Both our areas need to look to our young people for innovation and creating the new skills necessary for us to compete in world markets.
‘B’ was delighted with the teaching at your university and we were so pleased that he was awarded the Dean’s Commendation. He constantly told us of the care, commitment and inspiration that his lecturers and tutors put into their work, and the interest shown in him, as well as the help he received to ensure that he was able to complete his studies on time. Many of the older universities here in England could learn a great deal about “Student Care” from your staff.
May I once again congratulate you and all your staff on achieving such an excellent occasion and thank you for ensuring that our long journey, made simply for the graduation, was worth every long hour of the flight?”
Recognition of this kind is obviously encouraging for all staff and adds to the growing reputation of the University internationally.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast.