Students from the University of Stirling’s Highlands and Islands campuses received their degrees in a ceremony at Inverness Cathedral today, Wednesday 2 November.
Degrees were conferred upon 118 graduands from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport.
The graduating class of 2016 included a cohort of nurses and the first ever group of trained health visitors, as well as those leaving the University with specialist postgraduate degrees and a small number of students receiving qualifications from the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
Honorary graduate Dr Helen Bevan OBE also received the award of Doctor of the University in recognition of her outstanding contribution to quality improvement in healthcare.
A leader of large scale change in the English National Health Service for more than 20 years, Dr Bevan was recognised for her exceptional influence and leadership within the NHS.
Professor Gerry McCormac Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: "Congratulations to all our students graduating in Inverness today. Many students who have studied in the Highlands and Islands will dedicate their lives to helping others. The degree they have earned will give them a chance to make a tangible difference in the world. That’s an exciting prospect and making a difference, ‘being the difference’, has always been in Stirling’s DNA.
“I wish our graduates the best of luck as they take the experience gained at University to help build admirable professional careers.”
Stirling student nurses spend 50 per cent of their time at University on placement in a clinical setting, working closely with local NHS Boards, and are now set for a budding career in healthcare.
Students’ prospects are bolstered by the University’s excellent job credentials - the University ranked first in Scotland and third in the UK for employability, with 97 per cent of graduates in employment or further study within six months of completing their degrees.
Stirling was also named as Nurse Education Provider of the Year for pre-registration nursing at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2016 in recognition of the outstanding delivery of education to undergraduate nursing students.
