NESCol graduates take centre stage at Music Hall celebration

NESCol welcomed hundreds of guests to the Music Hall in Aberdeen yesterday for the final graduation ceremonies of the year.

The achievements of students who completed their studies at the City and Altens campuses were recognised. The event on Tuesday followed the Fraserburgh Campus celebration on September 23.

Two ceremonies took place at the city centre venue, spanning all five of the college’s curriculum sectors.

NESCol Principal and Chief Executive Neil Cowie said: “Graduation is a special occasion for all involved – from those crossing the stage to mark their qualification to the guests who have supported them on their journey and NESCol’s staff who take enormous pride in the accomplishments of every individual.

“This year the ceremonies hold extra significance as they are part of the 10^th anniversary of our institution. NESCol was founded on 1 November 2013, following the merger of Aberdeen College and Banff and Buchan College, and graduation was a chance to reflect on that first decade as well as to look forward to the opportunities the future holds for the class of 2023.”

Included in the programme was the award of an honorary fellowship to John Henderson, who formerly served as a member and interim chair of the NESCol Regional Board. He had a long and distinguished career in which he rose to become Deputy Director of the Scottish Government and played a leading role in the implementation of devolution.

Neil Cowie added: “John has been an influential figure in the Scottish college sector, not only through his contribution to NESCol but also in leading Colleges Scotland as Chief Executive during a period of significant change in the country’s education and training landscape. The fellowship is the highest honour bestowed by our institution and John is a worthy recipient.”

The ceremonies were hosted by BBC Scotland presenter Fiona Stalker. They featured guest speakers James Bream, Chair of Developing Young Workforce North East as well as a Press and Journal columnist, and former NESCol student Danielle Jam, a professional actor currently touring in the National Theatre of Scotland production of Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning.