Ready to make a difference: University of Newcastle 2022 graduates

Monday, 12 December 2022

The first cohort of students to graduate from the Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering will make history this week as they cross the stage during the University of Newcastle’s graduation ceremonies.

Students will graduate in 12 ceremonies over the next three days, including the group of renewable energy engineers who completed their studies committed to tackling one of the biggest challenges humankind faces – the transition to a renewable energy economy.

Spanning the disciplines of chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering, graduates of the renewable energy engineering degree are qualified to work across the spectrum of technologies for renewable energy capture, conversion, storage, delivery, and management.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO said students from all walks of life would be celebrated as they received their degrees during the ceremonies.

“Every graduate has had a unique experience and no matter what path they have taken to reach this point, they have all shown dedication, commitment and resilience,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“Whether they’re a school leaver completing their undergraduate, someone who has used study as a pathway to a new career, or a person graduating from a pathway program and embarking on the next phase of their studies, I wish them every success in their next steps.”

“Our university is committed to ensuring our graduates are community minded, resilient and ready to enter the workforce and make a difference.

“I look forward to seeing what our students achieve in the coming years. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every student and hope they feel immensely proud of their achievements.”

The graduation ceremonies will be held on from the 12-14 December at the University’s Great Hall on the Callaghan Campus and will be livestreamed here.

Student Stories

Jessica Haugh: Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours)

Jessica stands with her graduation certificate in her gown next to the Vice Chancellor in his official dress

Jessica Haugh left with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky

Most graduates are unsure what their first professional role will look like after graduation.

Not the case for Jessica Haugh, who already has a full-time role lined up and is looking forward to tackling one of the biggest challenges humankind faces – the transition to a renewable energy economy.

Jessica is part of the first cohort of students graduating from the University of Newcastle’s Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering, preparing graduates with practical experience to help solve the world’s energy problems.

Having received the Employability Excellence Award for her Internship earlier this year for her work at renewable engineering company, Zenviron, Jessica was offered an ongoing position there which she will begin working in full-time following graduation.

Jessica is excited about the future and the prospects that her degree has already given her.

“This degree introduced me to many inspiring academics who have truly motivated myself and my cohort. My peers have also played a critical role in my degree, with COVID-19 testing our online learning skills,” Jessica said.

“I would not have been able to achieve what I have today without the support of my peers and believe I have made lifelong friends throughout this degree.”

“My next goal is to become a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Australia. To be working on wind turbine farms is just incredible, proving that my degree is wanted in the industry. I feel very lucky to be given this opportunity and I look forward to seeing what my future holds in the engineering space.

“I’m determined to make a difference in the energy crisis we are facing, and this degree is the first step in my career to make that happen.”

Jessica will join the first cohort of Bachelor of Renewable Engineering graduates on Monday, 12 December at 2pm. 

Steven Holmes: Bachelor of Pharmacy

Steven Holmes with partner Hayley McKinnon

Completing a Bachelor of Pharmacy has been a bumpy ride, but it’s been worth it for Steven Holmes.

Originally from the regional town of Nyngan, Steven comes from a farming family but wanted to try something different and moved away from home to study.

“I finished school back in 2016 and I wanted to explore different avenues of career paths,” Steven said.

He moved to Newcastle and originally started studying Biomedicine .

“I couldn’t see a clear career path with bio-med, so I changed to pharmacy and haven’t looked back.”

While he is thrilled to be coming to the end of his studies, the past few years haven’t been the easiest.

“When COVID-19 hit, it was a challenging time and I ended up moving back to Nyngan for a bit.

“I wasn’t sure if I would come back and finish, but eventually decided to complete the degree. I think it was hard for a lot of people, but I’m glad I found my way back.

Steven will be commencing pharmacy practicum work in Singleton next year and is looking forward to launching his new career path.

“I’m happy I just kept going, even though it wasn’t the easiest few years.  Now I get the opportunity to use my new skills and experience in a whole new environment, and I’m excited about the future,” Steven said.

Steven will graduate with a Bachelor of Pharmacy on Tuesday 13 December at 10am.

Tanika Ridgeway: 2020 Yapug Enabling Program

Tanika Ridgeway

Never underestimate what’s possible.

That’s what the past three years have taught Tanika Ridgeway, a Proud Worimi woman from Port Stephens, who is graduating as part of the University of Newcastle’s Yapug program. 

Yapug is a pathway program designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain skills for entry into undergraduate degrees at the University of Newcastle. When students embark on a Yapug pathway program, they also benefit from a range of support services offered by the Wollotuka Institute.

After nine years working in pathology at the John Hunter Hospital, Tanika was interested in becoming a primary school teacher.

She was encouraged by her mentors to try medicine, something she didn’t think was a possibility for her.

“Hannah Pipe, the Indigenous Advancement Officer at Wollotuka told me that I should consider medicine. I grew up in a housing commission in Raymond Terrace. I didn’t do science in my senior years of high school, and my ATAR was 32. So, I am not your typical medical student – but here I am.”

“I didn’t go to university straight from school and didn’t realise how much my life experiences would help me in my current studies. I’m currently working as a Research Assistant with Dr Michelle Kennedy in Indigenous Health Research, and I’m just so happy that I took the step to find out what was possible for me.”

“Having people like Michelle and Hannah believe in me and support me throughout my university journey has meant that I have had the confidence to pursue new opportunities I would never have considered if not for them.”

Tanika has just completed her second year of Medicine at the University of Newcastle and hopes to be able to work to improve health outcomes for Indigenous communities.

The University of Newcastle is proud to welcome students like Tanika and continues to be a leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. This year, the University reached a major milestone of over 1,400 Indigenous enrolments. With 3.84% of the total 2022 enrolments, it marks the largest percentage of Indigenous students ever at the University of Newcastle.

Tanika will graduate from the Pathways and Academic Learning (PALS) ceremony on Tuesday 13 December at 6pm.

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