Graduation Ceremony 2018
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30 November 2018

Graduation Ceremony 2018

Mr Yiannis Boutaris, Mayor of Thessaloniki and Ms Victoria Hislop, Author become University of Sheffield Honorary Graduands  

Watch the Graduation Ceremony Speeches

Watch the University of Sheffield International Faculty Graduation Ceremony Speeches
Mayor Yiannis Boutaris, Ms Victoria Hislop, Ambassador Ms Kate Smith, Mr Yannis Ververidis, Prof. Wyn Morgan

Watch the University of Sheffield International Faculty Graduation Ceremony Speeches
Mayor Yiannis Boutaris, Ms Victoria Hislop, Ambassador Ms Kate Smith, Mr Yannis Ververidis, Prof. Wyn Morgan

Hundreds of University of Sheffield graduates from across the region officially received their degrees at the formal graduation ceremony of the university’s International Faculty CITY College, that took place in Thessaloniki, Greece. The ceremony was held on Saturday, 24 November at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall following the same academic procession as the University of Sheffield’s ceremonies in the UK. Bachelors and Masters graduates from more than 25 countries, who completed their studies at the International Faculty, proudly marched on the stage of the Thessaloniki Concert Hall and were presented their awards by the Vice-President for Education of the University, Professor Wyn Morgan. PhD graduates who completed the University of Sheffield Doctoral Programme supported by the International Faculty’s research centre, SEERC, also received their degrees at the ceremony.

The University of Sheffield International Faculty CITY College Graduation Ceremony 2018

All graduates were presented to the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Professor Gill Valentine, academics from the British university and the International Faculty and 1500 guests. 

At the ceremony, Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Letters were conferred upon Mr Yiannis Boutaris, Mayor of Thessaloniki and Ms Victoria Hislop, Author.

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred upon Mr Yiannis Boutaris, Mayor of Thessaloniki - The University of Sheffield International Faculty CITY College Graduation Ceremony 2018
Professor Wyn Morgan and Mayor Yiannis Boutaris

In his speech, Mr Yiannis Boutaris thanked the University of Sheffield for this honour. Addressing the graduates he said: “In my life I have one basic principle: Truth. Whatever I say, whatever I do must be true. Truth sometimes hurts. You and others. But I believe and I can say - by sometimes painful experience in my age of 76 years old, of a rather adventurous life - that although sometimes it was very painful to say the truth to myself and others, being truthful was always rewarding. Something else I must share with you, this moment, is never stop dreaming. Dreams may become visions. Dreams can disorient you, because they are not reality. Dreams are the salt of life. Without dreams you become a machine. And humans are not machines. Dreams might never become reality. But they help you create a vision. And last, whenever you fight or you negotiate with somebody, try to be on your opponent’s shoes. It will help you see things better.”

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred upon Ms Victoria Hislop, Author - The University of Sheffield International Faculty CITY College Graduation Ceremony 2018
Professor Wyn Morgan and Ms Victoria Hislop

Ms Victoria Hislop, also warmly thanked the University for this great honour and explained how Thessaloniki has been an inspiration for her work since the first time she visited the city, 10 years ago, saying that: “It is one of the most evidently multicultural cities in Europe.”

The British Ambassador Ms Kate Smith also addressed a welcome at the beginning of the Ceremony. In her address she explicitly commented: “In a sense I consider myself an informal alumna of the International Faculty CITY College. Two years ago I spent the greater part of my day for a month at the premises of CITY College learning Greek.” The Ambassador continued to say that Thessaloniki is an educational destination, and the International Faculty brings British education of the highest quality to the heart of Northern Greece and the Balkans. She stressed the importance of the educational ties between Greece and the UK saying: “CITY College and Sheffield provide a parallel opportunity to young people from Greece and across the region to gain from British education, right here at home or in the near neightbourhood. This model has enormous potential for growth.”

In the frame of the ceremony Prof. Petros Kefalas, Vice Principal for Learning & Teaching at the International Faculty and Ms Anna Sotiriadou, Head of the Computer Science Department, were honoured to receive a 'Senate 'Award of Leadership in Learning and Teaching’ and a ‘Senate Award for Sustained Excellence’ respectively by the University of Sheffield, in recognition of their exceptional and inspirational skills and their valuable contribution to students' learning experience.

Prof. Petros Kefalas was honoured to receive and a 'Senate 'Award of Leadership in Learning and Teaching’Ms Anna Sotiriadou was honoured to receive a ‘Senate Award for Sustained Excellence’
Professor Wyn Morgan with Prof. Petros Kefalas and Ms Anna Sotiriadou

Prof. Petros Kefalas was honoured to receive and a 'Senate 'Award of Leadership in Learning and Teaching’
Professor Wyn Morgan and Prof. Petros Kefalas

Ms Anna Sotiriadou was honoured to receive a ‘Senate Award for Sustained Excellence’
Professor Wyn Morgan and Ms Anna Sotiriadou

Also, twenty two academics from the University of Sheffield International Faculty received a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching (CiLT) Award. The award came as reward to our academics’ professional development, continuing education and commitment to expand their knowledge and skills in learning and teaching. Read more

In his turn, the Mr. Yannis Ververidis, Principal of the International Faculty CITY College congratulated all graduates on their achievement underpinning the importance of receiving education of highest quality with a truly international character: “You have been equipped with the culture, the knowledge, the skills and the capacity to become successful citizens of the world.”

In the closing speech the Vice-President for Education of the University, Professor Wyn Morgan warmly congratulated all graduates and said: We may be along from physical distance from Sheffield, but you are very much our graduates and you will go out of this hall and this institution bearing that name. You will be our ambassadors. You will be the people that make a difference in the world.”

Hundreds of University of Sheffield graduates from across the region officially received their degrees at the formal graduation ceremony of the university’s International Faculty CITY College

The ceremony was followed by a reception at the foyer of Thessaloniki Concert Hall where graduates celebrated their achievement together with their family and friends.

The event was well-attended by representatives of authorities and organisations from Greece and the neighbouring countries, as well as prominent personalities from academia, business and politics who honoured this special event with their presence. Distinguished guests included the British Ambassador to Greece, Ms Kate Smith, Dr Enver Hoxhaj, Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Kosovo, Ms Maria Tsakali, Honorary Consul General, Consulate of Great Britain in Thessaloniki, Mr. Doncho Barbalov, Deputy Mayor for Economy, Finance, Health Care at the Municipality of Sofia, Professor Athanasios Tsaftaris, Former Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Spyros Pengas, Deputy Mayor of Culture and Youth at the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Ms Kalypso Goula, President of the City Council of Thessaloniki and Deputy Mayor for Social Politics at the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr Konstantinos Gioulekas, Member of the Greek Parliament, Mr Ioannis Saridis, Member of the Greek Parliament and many others.

 

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