International gathering of students and their families celebrate Commemoration Day 2008

Over 2,100 undergraduates from the UK and around the world graduate in the Royal Albert Hall - News

Thursday 23 October 2008
By Naomi Weston

Students and their families travelled from across the world to attend Imperial College London’s 2008 Commemoration Day ceremonies yesterday. The international gathering included graduands from as far apart as China, Singapore, Malaysia, Greece, Spain and Ghana.

 

Over 2,100 undergraduates attended the ceremonies from over 30 different countries.

Hao Shen from Shenzhen near Hong Kong graduated with a BSc in Life Sciences and Applied Business Management. He attended the ceremonies with his parents. “They only arrived yesterday and they are here for only two days but it is great to have them here to support me,” he said.

From Singapore, Meiting Su graduated in Biology and was accompanied by her parents and brother who were visiting the UK for a week. “My family are recovering from their jet lag and trying to get used to the weather here! They enjoyed the traditional ceremony and we are looking forward to touring around the UK,” she said.

 

Her father added: “I remember coming here three years ago and dropping her off. Time passes so quickly and here we are again.”

Ameer Jawad was joined by his parents and uncle as he celebrated finishing his Computing degree. He said: “Everyone is so happy today it is great to have my family here. They have flown in from Dubai. I plan to go back there to work but further down the line would like to return to London and get a job in finance.”

Patricia Amoah-ntim graduated in Applied Business Management and was accompanied by six of her family including her parents, uncles and aunts. “We are all having such a good time today,” she said. “The ceremony was great and the atmosphere was amazing, as everyone there has been through the same thing to get here today.”

She added: “My family have flown in from Ghana and are only here for a few days which has made today extra special. The last time I saw them was a year ago!”

Meiting Su was joined by her parents and brother

Aeronautical Engineering graduate Khairul Kamalul from Malaysia attended the ceremonies and had the support of his parents on the day. “It is nice to have them here today as this is the first time they have visited in four years. They really enjoyed the traditional ceremony and are looking forward to sightseeing in London.”

His father added: “I am a registrar at a university back in Malaysia and really enjoyed watching a different ceremony. The speeches were good and the whole event was well organised.”

Patricia Amoah-ntim was supported by her family who flew in from Ghana

The ceremonies also awarded four honorary degrees and recognised College staff for their innovative and high quality teaching and exceptional efforts to provide a supportive learning and social environment for students.

In addition, fourth year medical student Sukhpreet Dubb was recognised for his commitment to widening access to Imperial College. He received this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award for his work pioneering the Vision conference, now held every September to help and inspire sixth form students considering a career in medicine.

Khairul Kamalul and his parents

Commemoration Day is held every year in October and is the graduation day for all Imperial’s undergraduates. The Postgraduate Award Ceremonies takes place every year in May.

For more information please see Graduation ceremonies