Recently, a congregation of more than 1,000 people crammed into the Waterfront Hall Belfast to celebrate the Higher Education successes of South Eastern Regional College (SERC) students.

Joined together with family, friends and tutors, the graduation celebrated the efforts and academic achievements of the 'Class of 2013' at their appropriately themed 'Supporting Employability and the Economy' graduation ceremony.

The ceremony, which was generously sponsored by East Down and Lisburn Education Partnership, honoured 250 graduates and nine local businesses, and featured addresses from Business Studies graduate Stephanie Barr and guest speaker Patricia O'Hagan MBE, CEO Core Systems (NI) Limited.

Ken Webb, Principal and Chief Executive of SERC, commented that the graduation marks an important day in the lives of the hundreds of Higher Education students who have completed their course.

"The annual graduation celebration is a highlight in the college calendar; it showcases students' achievements at Higher Education level in a variety of programme areas. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the College to wish all our graduates every success and hope that their time at SERC will stand by them in their future careers."

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This year's guest speaker, Patricia O'Hagan MBE, CEO Core Systems (NI) Limited, praised the hard work and commitment of both students and tutors. Speaking to the congregation Patricia encouraged the students to be the best they can in all that they do.

Following the graduation ceremony, nine further awards were made, congratulating students on their enthusiastic approach to life and learning. These awards were established as an opportunity for SERC to honour and reward those students whose commitment to learning and training has set them apart from their peers.

Construction students Martin Irvine and Joe Murray had double reason to celebrate as they not only completed their HNC, but were both presented with the Dunlop Trophy for Excellence in Project work. The team worked on a project developing a creative concept to meet the Lagan Corridor Strategic Framework and enhance the city of Lisburn. The innovative and unique concept of a hotel development on the bank of the River Lagan received high praise from both Lisburn City Council and the Institute of Civil Engineers.

Joe explained: "I am delighted to have completed the HNC course at South Eastern Regional College. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my lecturers at SERC who were very supportive and encouraging."

Lisburn man Johnathan Hamill is a shining example of the journey a student can take at SERC and the benefits of hands-on industry experience. Johnathan joined the college in 2010 to study the level three Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering, a qualification that is equivalent to three A Levels.

As part of his studies, Jonathan also got the unique opportunity to work on an industry project with Coca-Cola, devising an innovative solution which helped the local soft drinks manufacturer enhance their water management practices. Johnathan was also awarded the Sentinus CREST Gold Technology Runner-up Award for the project in 2011.

(CD/JP)