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Proud to graduate from the University of the Year

Students from the School of Computing, together with their friends and family, gathered to celebrate the first graduation ceremony of 2009.

Professor Graham Henderson, º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Vice-Chancellor, said: 'Our annual graduations are always a special occasion, not only to recognise our students’ achievements but also to highlight the crucial support of their families, friends and loved ones. 'I feel more proud than I have ever felt in my life, knowing our University has been chosen as UK’s ‘University of the Year’ for 2009, almost certainly the greatest achievement of our institution in its 80-year history.

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ was named University of the Year by the Times Higher magazine in October, the first modern university to achieve this prestigious accolade.

'Not only does this place us number one of 152 but also makes us the first ‘new’ University ever to achieve that level of recognition then it may put the achievement in context and make you appreciate how ‘special’ it makes our University something none of us ever will, or indeed should, ever forget!'

Professor Henderson also payed tribute to the graduates, adding: 'It is important that you, our students now our graduates, know just how much you have contributed to making º£½ÇÖ±²¥ the thriving, energetic, dynamic, well respected place that it is and how much we have all enjoyed, and appreciated, having you as part of our community. I genuinely hope that what you have gained during your time with us will, over time, really help to transform and enrich your lives.'

The Vice-Chancellor urged graduates and their guests to be positive about their futures despite the current recession. 'These are unusual times and things will get better. It’s people like you that are going to be pivotal to getting our economy started again and ensuring we’ve a great future to look forward to.'

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