Graduation Stories - Summer 2023

Lynne Smith, Director of Central in Aberdeen, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) during the University's graduation ceremonies this week.

Jeanette Forbes OBE, recognised as a leading businesswoman in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) at their graduation ceremony on Wednesday 5 July.

Leader in higher education, Douglas Blackstock, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) at its graduation ceremony this week.

Karen Darke MBE, a British Paralympic gold medallist who has achieved incredible sporting feats, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU).

Professor Linda Bauld OBE, who has been at the forefront of public health research in Scotland for the best part of 30 years, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU).

Gregor Townsend, the Head Coach of Scotland’s rugby union team and former player who amassed an impressive 82 caps for his country, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU).

With a love of photography, Aberdonian Annie Dyer, is graduating with a BA in Photography with Distinction from Gray’s School of Art having gained invaluable experience working with underprivileged young people, whilst collaborating a project with Denis Law Legacy Trust’s Streetsport programme, run in partnership with RGU.

A talented Baillie Gifford Access scholar awarded financial support throughout her studies, Lauren is graduating in Communication Design and has ambitions to work in the third sector to support under-represented groups in society.

Jessica Reid from Irvine in North Ayrshire, is graduating with a BA (Hons) in Communication Design from Gray’s School of Art and is planning a move to Inverness to continue her career in the creative sector.

After working in oil and gas, Connor wanted a change in direction and decided to leave the industry to pursue a more varied and creative career in architecture. He’s now graduating with a Master of Architecture with Distinction and has been nominated for a Silver Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and a RGU Art and Heritage Award.

A talented Master of Architecture student from RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Scotland + Venice Professional Development programme.

With a keen interest in construction, Daniel created a proposal for the new Aberdeen FC Football stadium as part of his degree and is looking forward to building on experience gained on an industry placement with Dandara, in his future career.

An ambitious Master of Architecture graduate from Aberdeen, awarded the prestigious, international ‘Scotland + Venice’ scholar to work at the Venice Architecture Biennale in recognition of her outstanding talent in architecture.

A qualified Digital Consultancy Lead, with an impressive track record in industry, chose to upskill further, and is graduating with a MSc in Construction Project Management.

Building on the success of his third-year placement, James has already secured his first job with a national housebuilder as an Architectural Technologist.

A recent graduate from Aberdeen has set her sights on becoming a business teacher abroad having discovered her passion while achieving a first class honours degree at RGU.

A student from Banchory has taken full advantage of the benefits available to him on his course to graduate with a first class honours degree from Robert Gordon University.

A British-born graduate from France has epitomised the opportunities available to students at Robert Gordon University (RGU) having spent much of her course in both London and South Korea to achieve a first class degree, all with the backdrop of a global pandemic.

A mother from Kirriemuir who had already achieved one degree is graduating once again having been lured back by her long-time fascination of law.

“Take the leap and go for it” is the advice from Lydia Buchan, 22, who has achieved a first class honours degree in Law at this Summer’s Robert Gordon University (RGU) graduation ceremonies.

An awe-inspiring Law student from Invergordon has graduated this week at Robert Gordon University having been fuelled by her passion of making societal differences and pushing herself beyond all expectations.

Two RGU students with very different paths are graduating together this summer as part of a unique group who can rightly claim to be the first of their kind in Scotland.

A 30-year-old Robert Gordon University (RGU) student from Aberdeen who took an unconventional path to university has graduated with a first class honours, as well as a full-time job, in the field she craved after years of working and travelling.

An international student has credited RGU for turning both her personal and professional life around having thrived at the University, graduating with an award-winning merit and leaving as “refined gold”.

Being made redundant from a career in retail, encouraged 26-year-old Ailsa Davidson to refocus her priorities. With a realisation she wanted to help people, Ailsa was drawn to Nursing and is now starting her first job at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after gaining a 2:1 in Adult Nursing.

With a passion to care for others and a strong family connection to the NHS, 21-year-old Sophie from Macduff, is starting her first job as a newly qualified midwife in the labour ward at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.

Jhulia Salviano moved more than 5,500 miles away from her home in Brazil to Aberdeen to complete her MSc Public Health and Health Promotion at RGU.

When Katie Johnson walks across the stage at P&J Live she will be one of the very first graduates to complete the Doctorate of Physiotherapy at RGU.

When Oliva Sanchez walked across the stage at P&J Live her heart is bursting with pride at being the first Mexican to complete MSc Public Health and Health Promotion.

With a love of netball Rebekah Singer knows that when she graduates at P&J Live it is the culmination of a journey that started at school.

For Doireann McCaughley graduating with MOccTh Occupational Therapy is the realisation of a teenage dream.

When Duncan Pirie crossed the stage at P&J Live not only did he successfully mark the end of his studies but he is beginning a journey to improve the lives of others using his experiences in care and the skills he gained at RGU.

Iona MacQueen feels she has broken barriers after earning a first class honours degree in Social Work.

In her former career Rebecca Rowan was used to taking shots of crime scenes but is now focusing on using her camera skills to help people after successfully completing RGU’s Therapeutic Photography course.

Having taken a year out between her studies to work at her local distillery and be closer to family during the pandemic, a Moray student is delighted to have now graduated and crossed the stage at Robert Gordon University’s Summer graduation ceremonies.

A successfully graduating Robert Gordon University (RGU) student from Perth is well on her way to becoming a qualified pharmacist in Inverness and completing her journey round Scotland having enjoyed placement opportunities in both Aberdeen and Glasgow throughout her degree.

Graduating with first class Honours in Software Development, Irvyn Hall is hoping to move into the industry after picking up the skills and knowledge to succeed at RGU.

Sulav Bhattachan has successfully completed MSc Cyber Security and feels after his time at RGU that he is more than ready to make an impact on the industry.

When Pamela Rosario Garrido Yanez from Mexico walked across the stage at P&J Live it marked the realisation of her dream of studying abroad.

Robert Paisley from Stonehaven is hopeful that his walk across the P&J Live stage to collect his first-class degree in Cyber Security will not be his last.

Keith Houghton from Stonehaven has set his sights on a promotion after graduating with MSc in Completion & Well Intervention Engineering.

Having already built-up experience in the energy sector as an analyst, Katie Grundy wanted to move into a different area and has managed to do this after successfully complete the MSc Drilling and Engineering course at RGU.