Life ready graduates

More than 3,700 students, including doctors, teachers, psychologists and engineers will be celebrated over five huge days and 13 inspiring ceremonies as the University of Newcastle hosts its largest graduation ever this week.

Failing doesn’t make you a failure, and it’s not a reason to give up on your dream. That’s what Shelby Edwards discovered while studying medicine at the University of Newcastle.

The University of Newcastle last night celebrated the achievements of six students during their Career-ready Placements and the invaluable contributions of staff and industry partners who provided exceptional workplace experiences, at the annual Employability Excellence Awards.

The University of Newcastle is leading transformative change in rural and regional education, which is one thing that attracted proud Wiradjuri woman, Millie Mills, to the University. Millie relocated from Wellington and is currently in her second year of studying Education, something that she said is thanks to the Wollotuka Institute’s Yapug program.

After working in infectious disease during the COVID-19 pandemic, Matilda Boey knew she wanted to contribute further to Singapore’s health system, inspiring her to study a Master of Public Health.

Coming to University after a 12-year career in government, Brendan Bowler was looking to try something new and found his passion along the way.

More than 1,200 students will don their caps and gowns to celebrate their study achievements during six graduation ceremonies this week at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus.

As a young country boy from Bourke with aspirations of being an NRL player, Barkindji man Heath Gibbs never thought University was an option for him.

Rebecca Cramp started university straight out of high school but decided, at the time, it wasn’t for her. Seven years later she returned with a renewed sense of purpose.

Still buzzing from seeing their newfound heroes, the Matildas, achieve amazing World Cup success, a group of 200 female students hit the field at Industree Stadium, Gosford to participate in Maths with Mariners.

Innovative thinkers, Google interns and local businesses going above and beyond to give students exceptional workplace experiences have all been celebrated at the University of Newcastle’s 2022 Employability Excellence Awards.

The New Futures Hackathon for Water Security saw seven teams learn from water security experts from Hunter Water, City of Newcastle, Hunter H2O, and the University of Newcastle before embarking on a 10 hour “hack” to evolve their ideas into a viable, technological solution.