Graduation joy for University of Bolton, Academic Centre
Graduation joy for University of Bolton, Academic Centre – Ras Al Khaimah students at the 7th Graduation Ceremony
University of Bolton students based at the University’s Academic Centre in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, have been celebrating their graduation success
Honoured guests at the seventh Degree Congregation Ceremony of the University’s UAE campus included His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Professor George Holmes – DL President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, Dr Zubair Hanslot – Provost of the University of Bolton and other dignitaries.
Professor Holmes praised the campus as ‘a real partner and a milestone in the international higher education cooperation’ and went on to say the value of a British degree surpasses many desires and provides an excellent platform for higher earning potential especially for women.
Graduates were presented with their awards by His Highness Sheikh Saud. Students received undergraduate and postgraduate degree awards in Business, Computing, Engineering and Construction and there were a number of trophy winners for outstanding achievement on their course. University of Bolton, Ras Al Khaimah commenced academic operations in 2008 and this year marks its 10th anniversary and has graduated hundreds of students since inception.
Said Professor George Holmes: ‘In my role as the President of the University of Bolton I have had the great pleasure of presiding over many graduation ceremonies celebrating the achievements of students and I am really pleased to see the hard work from student, staff and families coming to fruition.’
‘This weekend we graduated 264 students. We were delighted that the graduation ceremony took place in the presence of His Highness and we are enormously grateful to him for his support and encouragement.
‘Our international work is an integral part of the University. We deeply value the cultural and intellectual inspiration we gain from relationships around the world and the diverse opportunities they bring to our students in the globalised societies we live in today. It paves a way for our students to become more employable with an international perspective’
Also attending the ceremony as guests from the University of Bolton were Dean Holdsworth – former football player playing in Premier League and England, Professor Stewart Harding – Professor of Dentistry, Rohan Pallewata – Chair of Lanka Harness and candidate for Presidency’s office of Sri Lanka and Dr Sudhir Kartha, Chief Executive of Western International College (WINC), the University’s UAE campus partner was also party of the VIP platform party.
Speaking as a special guest of honour Rohan Pallewatta started his speech by playing a guitar and singing the Simon Garfunkel song “flowers never bend with the rainfall”
He gave a really inspiring speech and said: “In order to grasp a business idea, one should not solely rely on knowledge rather to take it to the next level; they should seek to acquire wisdom in a learned manner.”
Guests included representatives from the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, Al Qasimi Foundation, RAK Economic Zone, Pakistan Association Dubai, GEMS Education amongst others also attended the ceremony. More than 85 corporate organisations have supported the University campus, providing internships and work placements to its students as well as providing valuable insights through guest lectures.
The event took place at the Double Tree Convention Centre, in Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, on Friday 18th January, 2019.
The University of Bolton’s UAE campus was opened in 2008 by HRH The Earl of Wessex. The campus currently has over 700 students from over 35 countries including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Algeria, Syria, Sudan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria and The Philippines.
