Members of North East Scotland College’s class of 2023 were celebrated on Saturday (September 23) as the Fraserburgh Campus played host to the first of this year’s graduation ceremonies.
NESCol Students who have achieved qualifications in the sectors of business and creative professions, engineering skills, care, education and social sciences and computing and engineering technologies took centre stage alongside those graduating from the Scottish Maritime Academy.
The event also marked the start of 10th anniversary celebrations for NESCol.
Officially launched on November 1, 2013 following the merger of Banff and Buchan College with Aberdeen College, it is now among the largest providers of vocational education and training in Scotland.
More than 20,000 full-time, part-time and distance learning students are enrolled each year. The college operates from its main Aberdeen Altens, Aberdeen City and Fraserburgh campuses as well as the Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead.
Neil Cowie, the college’s principal and chief executive, said: “Graduation is always an occasion to cherish and to be able to share in it is a great privilege.
“With our 10th anniversary on the horizon, there is an extra reason to celebrate. The past decade has been one of great achievement, with the class of 2023 writing their names into that history, and the exciting thing from our perspective is the opportunities we see not only for the year ahead but for the region in the long term. NESCol will be at the heart of that exciting new era.”
The morning ceremony also included the presentation of a NESCol Honorary Fellowship to Councillor Anne Simpson. It is the highest honour bestowed by the college.
The award to Cllr Simpson is in recognition of the contribution she has made to community education and community development, driving positive social and economic change through distinguished service to NESCol, its partners and the region’s public bodies.
Mr Cowie said: “Anne’s service to further and higher education in the area dates back to pre-merger days, through her role on the Banff and Buchan College board, and that sterling contribution continued following the creation of NESCol. Her reach is far wider than our own campuses and extends across the communities we serve in a variety of roles, all of which are embraced with dedication and energy that is familiar to all who have worked alongside Anne in her role as a board member.”
Cllr Simpson said: “The honorary fellowship is an honour I feel very humbled to receive and it has been my pleasure to be part of the college’s work over a number of years. NESCol has a special place in the hearts of all those who are part of the college community and as a fellow I hope I can play my part in helping it go from strength to strength.”
In addition to the graduation presentations, a series of special awards were also presented.
The Rotary Club of Fraserburgh Endeavour Award, which recognises the significant achievements of an individual whilst working towards their qualification, was presented to Anna Keller.
The Score Group awards, for students who impressed the engineering lecturing teams with their effort and commitment, were presented to Owen Mackintosh (HNC Engineering Practice), Liam Davidson (HNC Mechanical Engineering) and Ryan Ross (HND Mechanical Engineering).
The SQA Student Award was presented to Alana Cardno, in recognition of exceptional dedication and academic achievements.
The Fraserburgh event will be followed by two graduation ceremonies in Aberdeen, honouring students who completed their studies at the City and Altens campuses. Those will both take place on Tuesday 3 October at the Music Hall.