The University of Newcastle (UoN) has had much to celebrate in 2023.
Callaghan Campus’ Great Hall recently marked 50 years since its construction, while the all-Indigenous staffed unit, Wollotuka, also commemorated its 40th anniversary.
And, from Tuesday 12 until Friday 15 December, more than 3,300 students will attend the uni’s biggest graduation ever.
The pupils are scheduled to cross the stage, via 12 ceremonies, joining almost 171,000 Newcastle alumni who stretch across 153 countries around the globe.
Governor of NSW Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC, federal Minister for Education Jason Clare, @IndigenousX founder and CEO Luke Pearson and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes will be among the high-profile speakers.
UoN Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said everyone was looking forward to the event.
“It’s fitting that, on Wednesday, the Minister will witness the university’s 295 undergraduate education students joining the more than 300,000 inspiring teachers in Australia who shape, change and create the people their scholars become,” he stated.
“We recognise education can alter a person’s life, their opportunities and, ultimately, their life trajectory.
“Passionate teachers are crucial to inspiring young minds and setting them on the right path.
“We acknowledge and value the critical role they play in our communities.
“This week we are proud to be graduating and sending the next generation of passionate educators into classrooms, equipped with the life-ready skills to begin inspiring more students to be their best and set ambitious life goals.”
Hunter School of Performing Arts English and drama teacher Katrina Miller-Little will graduate on Wednesday with a Masters of Special and Inclusive Education.
“My passion for education is embedded in social justice,” she said.
“My goal is to support students who wouldn’t traditionally have the same access and opportunities as others.”
Her desire for – and love of – teaching has even inspired some of her own students to follow in her footsteps and pursue a career in the profession.
Her HSC student Tom Autard has been accepted via an early offer to study education at the University of Newcastle.
The UoN announced in August that it would launch a new Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) from 2024 to help provide a much-needed solution to teacher shortages.
The qualification provides a 12-month program for people who are looking to transition their careers and fast track their studies to become a high school teacher.
“All of the people we will see graduating in this week’s ceremonies, in fields from information technology to medicine, criminology to midwifery have made an investment in their future and we know that they’ll reap the benefits of that investment for a lifetime,” Professor Zelinsky added.
“I’m sure they’ll be seen as an inspiration for many others considering studying with us next year.”
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