BU’s graduation week ends with Health & Social Sciences ceremony

Bournemouth University’s graduation week ended with the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences ceremony.

Alongside over 500 students who graduated in Friday’s ceremony, the university honoured prominent midwife Sheena Byrom OBE with an Honorary Doctorate for her services to the profession.

Sheena Byrom said on receiving her award, “I feel flabbergasted about receiving this award from Bournemouth University. It is a big thing and we are all here to celebrate today.”

Giving advice to the graduands she was graduating alongside, Sheena said, “If they can keep in their hearts the passion and the drive they had when they first came to the university, it will help them to be more resilient and keep them motivated towards what they want to do. Healthcare is a blend between love and science and both are equally important. In practice, it is key that they have the skills, but the things that makes the difference are love and compassion.”

After the ceremony, the graduates and their families were invited to a champagne reception, at which they could celebrate their success, take snaps with former course mates, and pose in a giant deckchair or outside with Bournemouth’s iconic pier in the background.

The post-graduation celebrations were heightened when Nashe Kasiyan took to the stage to propose to his girlfriend of eight years, Melody, who graduated today. She said yes, as an applauding crowd looked on.

Alongside Sheena Byrom OBE, BU also awarded Honorary Doctorates to Eden Project creator Sir Tim Smit KBE, RNLI stalwart Charles Hunter-Pease OBE, former BU board member David Hines, former High Sheriff of Dorset Jennifer Coombs, and former Saachi & Saachi creative director Chris Arnold during the week.

Almost 3,000 students from 110 different countries walked across stage during the week's seven ceremonies. Across the week, the online stream was watched in 63 different countries by more than 4,000 people in six continents.

Vice-Chancellor Professor John Vinney shook the hands of every student who walked across the stage. He said: “A big congratulations to all of our graduating students. I’m so proud of all of their achievements and it’s a fantastic day, both of celebration, and to reflect on their time at BU.”