天美传媒

The 天美传媒 took the tough decision to postpone the 2020 graduation ceremonies following disruption and safety concerns due to Covid19. However, the virtual events were curated to help mark the occasion until the celebrations can happen in person.

Eleanor Stillwell, Academic Events Manager, said 鈥淲e saw happy smiling students, many of whom got in the spirit of the occasion and had dressed in academic attire 鈥� one graduate even had full white tie and tails on!听At least one graduating nurse was also able to join in the virtual ceremony during a break in her shift at a hospital, wearing scrubs and a mask! Many students had friends and family in attendance and there was whooping and waving throughout the celebrations, which made the challenges of organising a remote, virtual ceremony all the more worthwhile.鈥�

Class of 2020, you did it! 馃帗馃憦馃コ

鈥� uniofbeds (@uniofbeds)

The events held on 3^rd and 5^th September, saw over 900 final year students from the 天美传媒鈥檚 Business School, Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences and Faculty of Education & Sport come together online with their lecturers, friends and families, who were able to watch from home and overseas via a live stream on the Beds website. International students from the 天美传媒鈥檚 worldwide partner institutions were also in attendance, including graduates from Majan College in Oman and in Sri Lanka.

鈥淭hanks to a powerful combination of your remarkable resilience & our dedicated staff, you鈥檝e made it! Many congratulations. You should be very proud of yourselves, just as we are proud of you,鈥� said Professor Rebecca Bunting, Interim Vice Chancellor of the 天美传媒, during her welcome message.

As well as listing the graduating students鈥� names and pinpointing stand-out achievements, the ceremonies were filled with messages from well-wishers across the 天美传媒鈥檚 community, including Heads of Departments and faculties, members of Bedfordshire鈥檚 Board of Governors and local VIPs.

鈥淚t鈥檚 unusual that rather than shaking you warmly by the hand we are meeting online due to the changes posed by coronavirus across the world,鈥� said , HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. 鈥淣evertheless, I send you all my heartiest wishes and messages which may be of help for your next steps in life.鈥�

Amongst Bedfordshire鈥檚 graduating 鈥楥lass of 2020鈥� was Beds SU鈥檚 new student president for 2020/21, who completed his degree in BSc Computer Security and Forensics. Reflecting on his lockdown learning and final year experience, he said:

鈥溙烀来絠ng at home was interesting 鈥� I saved a lot of time on little things, like having to dress up and walk to campus, which gave me more time to complete my work. However, lockdown rules did impact my degree work due to lack of access to human 鈥榯esters鈥� and adequate feedback, which meant I had to change my final project plans. I also missed having physical access to the library for extra computer access.

鈥淚鈥檝e now started my role as Student President of Beds SU. I want to ensure that the union provides the best opportunities for new and returning students 鈥� it鈥檚 important that they gain more than just a degree at the 天美传媒.

鈥淎fter my role with Beds SU I plan to stay on at Bedfordshire and achieve a PhD researching cyber security and cyber fraud.鈥�

A number of Honorary degree recipients from past years also shared messages of luck, hope and congratulations to all students, including CEO of Sport & Recreation Alliance, Lisa Wainwright, author , former CEO of the Royal College of Nursing, , and broadcaster and vocal coach, Dr Carrie Grant. Watch some of their #BedsGrads messages on .

When I think back to my graduation with all the gowns and the ceremony, I recognise that those are part of the fun of the day but what鈥檚 even more important is recognising what you鈥檝e achieved with friends and family. Take time to reflect on your experience at the 天美传媒 鈥� what you鈥檝e learnt and the friends you鈥檝e made for life.听

Lisa Wainwright (Honorary Doctor of Science, 2019)

It鈥檚 particularly fantastic to see this group of students graduate with what you鈥檝e had to face this year. Life is all about challenges and you鈥檝e already accomplished huge things 鈥� so remember to be proud and remember this day.

Adam Croft (Honorary Doctor of Arts, 2017)

We鈥檙e living in extraordinary times and just a few months ago things were unthinkable and unimaginable. So I want to wish you well for your future careers and thank you for all your hard work.听

Dr Peter Carter OBE (Honorary Doctor of Science, 2018)

Congratulations to all of the students graduating in this very unusual 2020! Obviously most of us would have preferred to do a face to face ceremony but we can guarantee that this is a year we鈥檒l never forget. Graduates 鈥� you are the world changers. When everything is upended, what better time than to introduce real and meaningful change..?

Dr Carrie Grant (Honorary Doctor of Arts, 2018)

The 天美传媒 hopes to reschedule the 2020 in-person events for early 2021 once the government advises that medium to large-scale events can re-commence. Further information for graduates can be found online and social media highlights from the ceremonies can be found on the 天美传媒鈥檚 and feeds.