After years of hard work and dedication, 538 students, including eight PhDs, from La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus are set to graduate in 18 ceremonies across three days at the Bendigo campus this week.
The ceremonies will see the graduands – along with a further 236 graduating in absentia – celebrate the completion of a wide range of courses, from Engineering, Business and Law to Computer Science, Education and Dentistry.
Among the eight PhD graduates, Dr Diana Nabbumba has been awarded the Nancy Millis Medal for her outstanding doctoral thesis examining the social care system for older people in rural Uganda.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said he was thrilled to see Bendigo students marking this major milestone.
“Our students have been through so much in recent years, so they should be deservedly proud of themselves for persevering, and gaining the skills and experience needed to be successful in the workforce,” Professor Dewar said.
“The majority of students graduating today will stay in regional communities to live and work, helping to address skills shortages and contributing to thriving regional cities like Bendigo.”
Bendigo Campus Director, Dr Julie Rudner, said it was wonderful to see students able to take part in the formal traditions of graduation, and celebrate their achievements with family and friends.
“After two years of postponed or modified ceremonies, it’s wonderful to see so many students able to attend and invite more guests to join them in the celebrations,” Dr Rudner said.
“Through our strong links with local industry in Bendigo, many of our graduates have benefitted from Work Integrated Learning programs, and have secured employment even before they graduate.”
“We are particularly excited to celebrate the first cohort of students graduating from the Master of Internet of Things – an innovative Australian-first course launched in 2019 at our Bendigo campus. Several of today’s graduates are already working in local tech companies.”
12 students from the first intake of the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) are also graduating this week (3 in absentia), as they forge their path to become rural doctors.
In addition to those graduating this week in Bendigo, La Trobe students will graduate at ceremonies in Mildura and Shepparton over the coming weeks.
