Suffolk College Congregations in October - Ipswich Angle, November 2004

The last week in October saw the annual Suffolk College Congregations, the ceremonies conferring higher education awards. This year once again more than 1,000 students received the qualifications they have worked for, and the congratulations they richly deserve. The presence of family and friends provided hugs, tears and cameras, and raised the total number taking part in the two-day event to well over 3,000.

But what makes these celebrations really special is the diversity of the graduates and the many different routes they have taken to don their academic robes. Some have followed the traditional route of a full-time course after A levels. A substantial number, though, began the journey from a very different point, making the most of the support and progression opportunities Suffolk College is able to provide.

Students enrol at different stages in their life and for a variety of reasons. Some want to improve their current career prospects, and others are hoping for a complete change of direction. Sometimes a student wants to return to a study path that was temporarily blocked by a change in personal circumstances. Whatever the situation, Suffolk College has a justly renowned student support service and a range of delivery formats to help open doors.

Another factor that has made Suffolk College the third largest provider of higher education in the English further education sector is the range of courses and programmes of study on offer. To achieve this the College has developed innovative ways to make higher education as accessible as possible. This year’s graduations will mark the achievements of students from 130 different programmes – qualifications as diverse as the Chartered Institute of Building Site Management Diploma to Masters degrees in Business Administration.

With all the activity to make University Campus Suffolk a reality, higher education is clearly a major factor in the future economic growth of our town. Each new report contains impressive statistics on the financial gains that an expansion of the academic offer would bring. Although it is important and necessary to see the bigger picture, somehow at Congregations the strongest image is the sheer pride and happiness on the faces of the graduates.

There are open events on Wednesday 17 November and Tuesday 23 November –details are available from the Information Centre (01473 296606) or on the website www.suffolk.ac.uk. Come