More than 600 graduates from the Faculties of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences celebrated alongside honorary graduates from the worlds of literature and education on the final day of the University of Stirling’s summer graduation ceremonies.
Former local head teacher and Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Teacher of the Year, Elaine Wyllie, received a Masters of Arts from the University for her outstanding contribution to the community with the ‘Daily Mile’ initiative at St. Ninians Primary School, Stirling.
The programme - which sees every pupil walk or run for up to one mile every day - has attracted national and international praise from healthcare experts for its innovative approach to tackling the growing issue of childhood obesity and is now the focus of a study by experts at the University of Stirling.
Ms Wyllie said: “The University of Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and I’m delighted that it has chosen to recognise the positive impact that The Daily Mile has on the health and wellbeing of children everywhere. The University’s decision to conduct robust and meaningful research into this initiative will have far-reaching consequences for the health of future generations of children in the UK and beyond.”
Also recognised during Thursday’s ceremonies was Professor Zhengshuan Li, who received the award of Doctor of the University for the promotion of Scottish literature in China. Professor Li presented the University with a copy of his book which translated the poems of Robert Burns into contemporary Chinese to mark the 220th anniversary of the Bard’s death.
Speaking during the ceremony, Professor Li praised the University’s reputation as an outward-looking institution with an international reach: “All of us graduating today are proud of the University where innovation and excellence is fully demonstrated, where national culture is highly valued, where we have studied and learned much about the world and the future.”
Thursday’s ceremony marks the final day of celebrations which recognises the achievements of more than 1200 graduates from five faculties.
This summer, more than 80 per cent of Stirling honours degree graduates achieved either a first or 2:1. 96 per cent of Stirling graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation.
Photos, social media and graduate stories from the summer graduation ceremonies are available on the Graduation Live website.
Notes for editors
- Background information
Media enquiries to Corrie Campbell, Communications Officer on 01786 466 169 or c.r.campbell@stir.ac.uk.
Notes for editors:
University of Stirling
The University of Stirling is ranked fifth in Scotland and 40th in the UK for research intensity in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. Stirling is committed to carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society.
Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.
At almost 50-years-young, Stirling retains a pioneering spirit and a passion for innovation. Its scenic central Scotland campus – complete with a loch, castle and golf course – is home to more than 12,000 students and 1500 staff representing 114 nationalities. This includes an ever-expanding base for postgraduate study.