University of Newcastle to celebrate power of education in its largest graduation ever
The power of education will be centre stage when more than 3,300 students from the University of Newcastle graduate at the Callaghan Campus this week in its biggest graduation ever.
In 12 ceremonies over four days from Tuesday 12 December to Friday 15 December, students will cross the stage in the Great Hall, joining more than 171,000 Newcastle alumni who stretch across 153 countries around the globe.
The ceremonies will feature high profile speakers including Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW (who will participate in the ceremonies 50 years since then Governor of NSW Sir Roden Cutler opened the Great Hall), Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare, Founder & CEO of @IndigenousX Luke Pearson and City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO, said it would be fitting that on Wednesday Minister Clare would witness the University’s 295 undergraduate education students join the more than 300,000 inspiring teachers in Australia who shape, change and create the people their students become.
“We recognise education can change a person’s life, their opportunities and ultimately their life trajectory. Passionate teachers are crucial to inspiring young minds and setting them on the right path,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“We acknowledge and value the critical role teachers play in our communities. This week we are proud to be graduating and sending the next generation of passionate educators into classrooms, equipped with the life-ready skills to begin inspiring more students to be their best and set ambitious life goals.”
Hunter School of Performing Arts English and drama teacher, Katrina Miller-Little, will graduate on Wednesday with a Masters of Special and Inclusive Education.
“My passion for education is embedded in social justice. My goal is to support students who wouldn’t traditionally have the same access and opportunities as others,” she said.
Kat’s passion for and love of teaching has even inspired some of her own students to follow in her footsteps and pursue a career in the profession. Her HSC student Tom Autard has been accepted via an early offer to study education at the University of Newcastle.
The University of Newcastle announced in August 2023 that it would launch a new Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)from 2024 to help provide a much-needed solution to teacher shortages. The graduate diploma provides a 12-month program for people who are looking to transition their careers and fast track their studies to become a high school teacher.
Speaking more broadly about the graduation ceremonies, Professor Zelinsky congratulated every student graduating this week on their dedication, persistence, and commitment to achieving their education goals.
“All of the people we will see graduating in this week’s ceremonies, in fields from information technology to medicine, criminology to midwifery have made an investment in their future and we know that they’ll reap the benefits of that investment for a lifetime.”
“I’m sure they’ll be seen as an inspiration for many people considering studying with us next year. We want all of those future students to know that there’s a place for them at the University of Newcastle.”
Graduates will receive their degree in the Great Hall, which recently celebrated 50 years since construction. The Great Hall was built by donations from the community and is a tangible reminder that the University of Newcastle is a university of and for our region.
This year the University is extremely proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Wollotuka. This all-Indigenous staffed unit has supported thousands of Indigenous graduates and has seen the University forge a reputation as a leader in Indigenous education in Australia.
For a detailed list of ceremony details, please visit this link.
Occasional speakers
Tuesday 12 December
10am: Mr Anthony Dombkins, NSW Justice Health
2pm: Professor Maralyn Foureur AM, Professor in Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle
6pm: Professor Vaughan Carr, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle - honorary doctorate recipient
Wednesday 13 December
10am: Ms Lauren Eyles, President of Business Hunter
2pm: City of Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes
6pm: Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare and Ms Deirdre Heitmeyer, The Wollotuka Institute, University of Newcastle - honorary doctorate recipient
Thursday, 14 December
10am: Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW
2pm: Mr Luke Pearson- Founder & CEO, IndigenousX + Achiever
6pm: Laureate Professor John Attia, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle
Friday 15 December
10am: Ms Anna-Maria Arabia – CEO, Australian Academy of Science
2pm: Mr Tarun Gupta - Managing Director and CEO- Stockland
6pm: Professor Anna Giacomini, School of Engineering, University of Newcastle
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.