Two days of graduation ceremonies have taken place on 28 and 29 November 2023 for Ealing’s University of West London (UWL) students at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.
Over the two days and with six ceremonies hundreds of UWL graduates were awarded their degrees and watched by their families and friends.
Six honorary degrees were also awarded to people from the worlds of business, marketing, nursing, charity, music, and culinary arts.
UWL alumnus Matt Dunkley who studied at the London College of Music (LCM) received an honorary doctorate in music and is an orchestrator, arranger, and conductor, who has worked on over 200 films including the summer blockbuster Barbie.
Receiving an Honorary Doctor of Letters was Mark Brooks OBE, chair of the ManKind Initiative, the first UK charity to support male victims of domestic abuse.
Also recognised was Michel Escoffier, who is the great-grandson of the famous culinary icon and president of the Auguste Escoffier Foundation. Mr Escoffier, who is instrumental in continuing his great-grandfather’s legacy, also launched the Entente Cordiale Culinaire Franco- Britannique which twins four French culinary schools with four UK schools, including the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism which is part of UWL.
Transport logistics expert Carl Lomas, a UWL graduate, has been instrumental in improving safety standards and qualifications for people working in the delivery industries. He was recently part of UWL launching an Express Delivery Manager degree apprenticeship in support of this.
Communications and Marketing specialist Russ Lidstone, who is President of Inizio Engage XD and Chief Marketing Officer of Inizio Engage, has acted as an industry advisor for UWL’s BA (hons) Advertising and Public Relations course since its inception.
Maria O’Brien received an Honorary Master of Science, is chief nurse at Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest integrated mental health and community trusts in the UK.
Professor Peter John CBE, vice-chancellor, University of West London said to those graduating: “It is you that make the University what it is, you are the most important people here today and without you, we’d be nothing.”
Professor John also announced UWL will be opening a School of Medicine in February 2024 and a new digital futures lab to explore the use of AI is also being created.
Professor Anthony Woodman, provost and senior deputy vice-chancellor of UWL added: “A UWL graduate is always amazing, but you are exceptional because in the midst of the uncertainty during and after those dark days of the pandemic you took control of your lives and joined us here at UWL. You are pioneers of a new world waiting for your skills and expertise. Thank you for taking that leap of faith and working with us.”
 students at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.){kind=link}