Graduation kicks off at University of Suffolk for more than 4,000 students

University of Suffolk graduation ceremonies kick off on Friday 17 October, with more than 4,000 awards set to be conferred over the next week.

Ceremonies begin at 2pm today, Friday 17 October, with University of Suffolk at East Coast College students graduating in a ceremony at Great Yarmouth Minster.

Ceremonies will continue on Saturday 18 October from a special marquee on Ipswich waterfront, finishing on Wednesday 22 October.

Professor Jenny Higham, University of Suffolk Vice-Chancellor, said: “Graduation is the highlight of the University’s year, and the celebrations will be a memorable occasion for all of our graduating students, their family and friends, and all of the staff here who have supported them on their journey.”

In addition to students being conferred their awards, Karen Pickering MBE will be awarded an honorary doctorate on Monday evening, recognising her international career in swimming which featured four World Championship gold medals and four Commonwealth Games gold medals.

The ceremonies will also mark the final graduation for Chancellor Helen Pankhurst, who will step down at the end of Wednesday’s ceremony and hand over the robes to 2023 honorary graduate, Zeb Soanes.

Journalist, author, actor and broadcaster Zeb, who was raised in Suffolk, has been a key campaigner for a statue of Benjamin Britten in Lowestoft, and hosts Classic FM’s weekday Relaxing Evenings programme.

Dr Pankhurst has served as the University’s Chancellor for seven years alongside her roles as a women’s rights campaigner and Visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Ceremonies from Ipswich will be live streamed on the University’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person. Head to the link here to watch.

For more information on this year’s graduation ceremonies, visit the webpage here.