Kingston University and St George's, University of London applaud achievements of almost 2,000 graduates

Posted Wednesday 13 March 2019

Hundreds of students graduating from Kingston University and St George's, University of London have crossed the stage at the Royal Festival Hall to collect their degrees. All told, 1,966 students from the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, run jointly by Kingston and St George's, had their achievements celebrated in front of a packed audience of families and friends during two ceremonies.

The students, from the School of Allied Health, Midwifery and Social Care, School of Nursing and School of Education, were applauded for a range of achievements at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Prizes for outstanding academic achievement and The Kingston Award, which recognises the extra contribution students have made to campus life and the activities they have engaged in alongside their studies, were also handed out during the ceremonies.

The prestigious events also marked the graduation of the first nursing associates to have completed the Healthcare Practice Foundation Degree. The milestone came after the Faculty was selected to train students to become nursing associates as part of a major new Health Education England initiative.

Delivering hands-on, compassionate care for patients as they help to transform the nursing and care workforce, the nursing associates will work alongside nursing care support workers and registered nurses, bridging the existing gap between the two roles. The support of nursing associates will also allow registered nurses more time to use their specialist training to focus on clinical duties and take more of a lead in decisions about patient care.

Two honorary degree recipients joined the proud students at the prestigious ceremonies. Professor Shulamit Ramon, who was recognised for her contribution to social work and clinical psychology, and Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for NHS England, Suzanne Rastrick, were both named honorary doctors in recognition of their exemplary careers.

Faculty Dean Professor Andy Kent praised the exceptional levels of dedication and determination the graduating students had displayed throughout their studies and predicted they would make a considerable contribution working on the frontline of the capital's healthcare workforce, as well as in schools and for care providers across the region. "Our graduating students will play a significant role directly serving their communities and making a huge impact on society," he added. "The careers they are going in to will improve the quality of life and health of the general population in a way that demonstrates incredible compassion and integrity. Every one of our new graduates is a very worthy ambassador for the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education."

Categories: Alumni, On campus, Staff, Students