AWARDS CEREMONIES 6 – 9 November 2018 2018 AWARD CEREMONIES AS YOU GRADUATE TODAY YOU WILL NOTICE THAT YOUR CERTIFICATE BEARS THE UNIVERSITY WELCOME TO THIS OF WORCESTER’S COAT OF ARMS. JOYOUS CELEBRATION Te central element of the coat of arms is Te crest depicts the mythical Sabrina after A CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS, ACHIEVEMENT AND LEARNING the Shield, which, along with the motto, whom the River Severn is said to have been dates back to when the institution was frst named, framed by two bulrushes which established in 1946. make an allusion to the University campuses Words by Professor David Green | University of Worcester Vice Chancellor threaded along either bank. he beauty and grandeur of Worcester Our graduates in subjects such as business, TCathedral provides a magnifcent, most psychology, computing, sports science and ftting setting in which to congratulate our coaching are well-equipped to progress in graduates and to thank the parents, family, the fast-paced world of today’s professional friends and supporters who have contributed workplace, while our many actors, artists, so much to their success. Te University’s authors and designers are already helping coat of arms bears the motto ‘Ad Inspirandum to produce the dynamic, creative culture Aspiramus’ – ‘We Aspire to Inspire’. Tis which is such an important feature of a goal of the University is embraced and civilised society. carried on by our graduates as they tackle the exciting, demanding challenges This week’s graduates join an of the 21st Century. illustrious community of over 100,000 Worcester graduates At the University of Worcester May fortune who have made, and are making, we provide excellent higher an immense contribution to education. We nurture ability, smile upon you society. We hope that all of THE MOTTO: ‘AD extend knowledge, develop and may you today’s graduates will share INSPIRANDUM ASPIRAMUS’ high level skills and promote enjoy every their news and stay in close responsible values and contact with the University as good character. Tis all-round happiness. well as with their fellow alumni, ‘We Aspire to Inspire’ is as relevant inclusive approach, where through the Alumni Association today as it was to the original college. every individual both counts in the months and years ahead. and contributes, equips our graduates to play a full, active and responsible Graduates, I know you will have enjoyed part in society. many new opportunities and much inspiration during your studies at the University of Tis is the key reason why our graduates are Worcester. I look forward to your continuing in the top ten in the country for sustained success in the years ahead. employment. It is why students from all corners of Britain and over 70 countries choose to study at Worcester. Troughout this happy week, we celebrate the achievements of our graduates who now progress to be the next generation of scientists, Professor David Green nurses, teachers, midwives, early years, health Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive care and education professionals and more. 2 3 2018 AWARD CEREMONIES YOUR PLACE IN HISTORY THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME TO BE A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER he last few years have been amongst the most remarkable in the University’s history, Tmarked by incredible growth and exciting developments. Tose who graduate this year can do so safe in the knowledge that they, too, have left their mark on an extraordinary chapter in the University’s story. Te University of Worcester was founded in That all changed in 2010 when the City 1946 – in the immediate aftermath of World Campus – with its signature blend of War II – as an emergency teacher training Georgian grandeur and cutting edge facilities college. Te war efort had left behind a weary – frst opened its gates. Tat year, seven new and chaotic nation that, nevertheless, was buildings were brought on-stream, but this looking to the future, and to regeneration. was only the start of a wave of ambitious And so the then Worcester College was projects. In 2011 the opening of the Riverside founded – on a former Air Ministry site at Building signalled the start of development at Henwick Grove – with a mission to win the the Severn Campus, the University’s second peace through education. new site in as many years. When the frst lecturers arrived in April 1946, In 2012, Her Majesty The Queen opened they found the site largely unprepared, and one of the leading lights in the University’s still guarded by military watchmen. constellation of new stars, The Hive. As Europe’s frst shared public and university Early staf meetings were often interrupted so library, in The Hive, diversity is the key that lecturers could lend a hand making the to creativity. University professors weave beds or hefting furniture into place, as they between playful youngsters tumbling out of scrambled to prepare the college for the arrival the Children’s Library, and students earnestly of the frst intake. research their next assignment along-side local entrepreneurs catching up with the latest When the frst students did arrive, there was business news. still a great deal of work left to do, so staf and students worked together to bring the Te Hive broke new ground, new college to life. Out of exploring possibilities this time of chaos, comradery that had not been mapped and co-operation, the fabled Staf and students before. The following year, ‘Worcester spirit’ was born. the University repeated the worked together approach when it opened Although today’s University the University of Worcester of Worcester is a very diferent to bring the new Arena. The Arena, like The place from the college college to life. Hive before it, is fuelled founded in 1946 – in such by the power of access and modest circumstances but inclusion. Designed from the with such noble aims – the start to be fully accessible to the disabled heartbeat of the institution remains the same. user, spectator, and athlete, the venue further In 1946, the frst intake saw 248 students brings people together through its innovative enrol at Worcester. Te University now has a mixed-use model. Paralympic athletes, grass community of over 10,500 students. Top: Science labs 1960s roots sports clubs, and professional teams Bottom: University 1950s As recently as a decade ago, the University of all share the same space, allowing the stars Worcester was a single-site institution, having of tomorrow to train alongside the heroes not yet outgrown its original St John’s home. of today. 6 7 2018 AWARD CEREMONIES Other innovative additions to the University’s As a university, we have always sought to roster in recent years include the Jenny Lind look beyond our lecture theatres, judging Building with its fully equipped and accessible our work ultimately in terms of the impact mock law court, and most recently of all, it has throughout wider society. Universities the Lakeside Campus, which, with its have a transformational role to play in their particular focus on inclusive participation, communities and beyond, and our students, will open up the world of outdoor adventure staff and graduates are a crucial part of to those who may previously have felt outward this picture. bound was out of bounds. Te modern University of Worcester ofers What really matters amidst all this obvious a rewarding student experience delivered development is not the through high quality teaching prestige of new buildings, in a host of innovative new but rather the wealth of More people than facilities, and there are new opportunities that these ever now have further exciting plans in the facilities have helped to create, the chance to pipeline, with developments both for our students, and for like the International the community in which we discover, explore, Centre for Inclusive Sport, make our home. and make the and a potential Worcester Medical School all on This rapid growth has been most of their own the horizon. matched, if not exceeded, rich potential. by the achievements of our Our students have played students and the quality a crucial role in this story of our academic endeavours. University of of progress, and as they graduate, and Worcester graduates are highly sought after begin to shape their own futures, they will in the jobs market, a fact that makes us continue to be highly valued members of our immensely proud. Tis is a testimony to the University community. quality of our courses, but more importantly to the admirable eforts of our students. Much has changed since 1946, but the Worcester spirit remains the same. Now, as In 2014, the University added further then, a close-knit community, an inclusive scholarly excellence to this strong foundation approach that values every contribution in teaching, ranking as one of the UK’s and knowledge that can be put to work most improved universities for the quality in society, are the forces that drive the of our research in the national research University forward. excellence framework. With the growth in the size of the University, more people than ever now have the chance to discover, explore, and make the most of their own rich potential. Top: Students’ Union president 1953-54 Bottom: Athletics Team 1953 8 9 2018 AWARD CEREMONIES THE YEAR AS IT WAS A LOOK BACK AT THE IMPORTANT MOMENTS OF THE PAST YEAR 1. In the Government-published 2. In the 2018 National Student 3. A record number of new Nursing Longitudinal Educational Survey (NSS), 86.2% of Worcester students began their training Outcomes (LEO 2017) data fnal year students said they in 2017/18, and the University Worcester was revealed as having were satisfed overall, placing was shortlisted for the ffth time one of the best records of sustained the University in the top 25% as Nurse Education Provider graduate employment in the of all universities.