Graduate Celebrations 2021

A message from our Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal

As Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, I would like to congratulate all of this year’s graduates on successfully completing your studies. Almost two academic years of those studies have been done remotely and you have worked hard and shown great determination to get to where you are today.

Gaining qualifications always requires dedication, but again this year, students have faced additional challenges. As the Coronavirus pandemic swept across the world, all our lives changed in some way.

It has been a difficult and uncertain time for everyone, so I would like to commend the adaptability and creativity you have shown in completing your studies and the support to your fellow students, your friends, your family and your community.

Many of you volunteered in providing COVID information or volunteered in the frontline response. Adaptability, creativity and kindness are valuable attributes which will be particularly important as the world moves on from the challenges of this pandemic.

Graduation is a key milestone in a person’s life, allowing you to reflect on our achievements. And now is a good moment to take some time to reflect on your studies here and your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Every contribution is significant.

This year is also an important year for our university. We have welcomed our new Principal and Vie-Chancellor, Professor Todd Walker, and we are celebrating the university’s tenth birthday. Our partnership now has the largest student population in Scotland, with nearly 40,000 students studying further and higher education courses with us each year.

The university was created to have a transformational impact on our region, economy, people and our communities, making the best use of technology to ensure the best delivery and experience of distance learning. I think we can be proud of the impact we’ve had across the Highlands and Islands. As graduates, you will play a vital role in supporting this mission, across our region and beyond.

As you begin a new chapter of your life, please go forward with confidence, knowing that all of us across the university partnership support you and wish you every success for the future.

Wherever life takes you, I encourage you to keep in touch with us in years to come. The university is always here for you, whether you are looking for career advice or thinking about another course to enhance your skills.

As a new member of our growing alumni community, you will always be part of the University of the Highlands and Islands family.

Congratulations and good luck.

A message from the Principal and Vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, Professor Todd Walker

Hello, my name is Todd Walker. I am the Principal and Vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, and as you can probably tell by my accent that I’m not from Scotland. In fact, I should probably be saying to you 'G'day, hello graduates'' 

I am Australian. This time last year I was living and working in Australia. I never thought for a moment that a year on, I’d be standing here in Scotland addressing you as your principal and vice-chancellor, having gone through one of the longest journeys in my life, both in distance and time. 

And I’m sure you also never thought that you’d have spent the last year of your course, studying in such really challenging circumstances overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

But you did it! You’ve reached the end of your studies and completed your qualification during one of the toughest times in history. And certainly, as a student you have faced. I’m incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved. You faced a seemingly impossible task – but you kept on going through a pandemic; you've kept moving forward, and you've kept your head up and you've kept looking ahead.  

And that is one of the testaments you should always hold near to your heart as a graduate of the University of the Highlands and Islands. And during all that time and in no doubt, you've had hurdles put in your way from lockdowns to family and friend pressures to money struggles and illness or bereavement.  

I know this has been quite a time for us all of us. But we’re here. All your determination, focus, enthusiasm, and creativity have paid off.  Well done. 

All of your hopes and dreams lie ahead of you. Well done. 

Take a moment to think about all the people that have helped you to get this point in your life. Whether it be your tutors, lecturers, or those who you will have seen online or in person, if you were lucky enough. But also think about the staff who worked behind the scenes to support you with other things like finances, IT, library resources and, most importantly, your health and wellbeing. 

We know it is all these people that have worked tirelessly to make your study experience the best it can be. And as such I do want to thank you for giving us the feedback in the national student satisfaction surveys. You ranked us very highly and on behalf of all the staff, we thank you. 

No matter what you do now or where you go with your choices in the future, please remember that all those people are still here for you, and we will always have your back. 

And, in the future, if you are looking to improve your skills or knowledge or even start a new career, I'd like you to reach out and have a chat to one of our career teams. You just never know, 

it might be so good for you to re-engage with us and develop your career even further. So, from all of us to all of you and to congratulate you on the work you have done. 

You are amazing and I know this is just the beginning of your journey. 

Congratulations with your achievements. 

A message from the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association Regional President, Flo Jansen

Hi it’s Flo here, your HISA president and I wanted to congratulate you on your well- deserved success. I am so happy to share in the excitement of your graduation day, and so very proud of all your achievements of the last year. You have truly, truly been incredible throughout such an unprecedented year and a half and it is really down to your passion, strength and resilience that you have made these accomplishments and we could not be prouder to have been able to be part of your journey but also to see you graduate successfully today. I’m wishing you all the best for your future. 

A message from Professor Jane Lewis, Principal of Shetland UHI

Hello graduates and completing students and huge congratulations!   

As we are unable to celebrate in person at the moment, I wanted to record this message to recognise your achievements and mark this important milestone.  

 Completing a course of study is a great achievement and you should be justly proud. For all of you it means you have successfully completed months or years of dedicated study, working hard to enhance your skills and knowledge and gaining new experiences and friends along the way.  I am proud of all of our graduates and completing students. I have been particularly inspired by the strength you, our cohort of 2020, has shown in completing your studies during such a challenging time.  

All of us at Shetland UHI are excited to see how you use your knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to our world. Please do keep in touch and remember that we are all behind you as you move forward on your journey.   

I would also ask you to remember those who have helped you during your time with us. Friends, family and colleagues as well as your lecturers and all the support staff are so important in helping you to reach your potential so I would like to extend my thanks to them for their support.   

I hope you enjoy celebrating your achievements in whatever way you can at the present time and we look forward to celebrating with you in person when circumstances allow. In the meantime, enjoy the summer, enjoy celebrating your successes and warm congratulations from all of us at Shetland UHI.