A group of graduates pitchside at Twickenham Stadium throwing their hats in the air.
A group of graduates pitchside at Twickenham Stadium throwing their hats in the air.

Hats off! Winter graduation starts at Twickenham

Intro

Two days of graduation ceremonies are taking place on 28 and 29 November for University of West London students at Twickenham Rugby Stadium, home of the England Rugby Team.

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This is the moment for UWL graduands to celebrate all their hard work and enjoy their moment in the spotlight alongside their friends and course mates. At six ceremonies over the next two days, hundreds of UWL graduates will be awarded their degrees, watched by their proud families and friends. Six honorary degrees are also being awarded, recognising inspirational people from the worlds of business, marketing, nursing, charity, music and culinary arts.

Matt Dunkley wearing red and purple honorary robes at the UWL November 2023 graduation ceremony

UWL alumnus Matt Dunkley, who is receiving an honorary doctorate in music, is an orchestrator, arranger and conductor who has worked on over 200 films including Barbie – the highest grossing Warner Brothers film of all time. Matt studied trumpet and piano at the London College of Music (LCM) and has been part of film composition workshops with LCM students, as well as discussing his career as part of an Arts in Conversation event.

Michel Escoffier wearing red and purple honorary robes at the UWL November 2023 graduation ceremony

Also being recognised is Michel Escoffier, who is the great-grandson of the famous culinary icon and president of the Auguste Escoffier Foundation. Michel, 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 the University of West London.

Carl Lomas is wearing a gown as an honorary graduate.

Also honoured on the first day of graduation were transport logistics expert Carl Lomas and communications and marketing specialist Russ Lidstone.

Carl Lomas, who is himself a UWL graduate, has been instrumental in improving safety standards and qualifications for people working in the delivery industries. He was recently central to UWL launching an Express Delivery Manager degree apprenticeship in support of this.

Russ Lidstone is wearing a gown as an honorary graduate

Russ Lidstone, who is President of Inizio Engage XD and Chief Marketing Officer of Inizio Engage, has acted as an industry adviser for UWL’s BA (Hons) Advertising and Public Relations course since its inception. He regularly visits UWL to offers students advice and guidance and deliver guest talks.

Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor of UWL, commended those graduating on their hard work, energy and personal sacrifice in achieving their goals. He also recognised how crucial the support of loved ones had been in the success of those graduating.

Speaking to those graduating, he offered his congratulations on their achievement:

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 that in line with the University’s vision and ethos to constantly move forward with solutions for current and future challenges, it 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.

You can follow events from Twickenham across our Instagram and Twitter channels. Use #UWLGraduation or #loveuwl to get involved.

Graduation slideshow

A group of graduates pitchside at Twickenham Stadium throwing their hats in the air.
A graduand seated in the ceremony room at Twickenham, waiting to graduate and smiling.
Two graduates posing with signs pitchside at Twickenham Stadium.
A group of graduands smiling whilst seated waiting to graduate at the Twickenham ceremony room.
A group of graduates pitchside at Twickenham Stadium throwing their hats in the air.
Two graduates pitchside at Twickenham Stadium posing behind a graduation 2023 frame prop
A group of graduates pitchside at Twickenham Stadium throwing their hats in the air.
Two graduates smiling pitchside at Twickenham Stadium.
Three graduates posing with their arms out in front of green seats at Twickenham Stadium with the pitch behind them.
A group of graduands smiling whilst seated waiting to graduate at the Twickenham ceremony room.
Three students standing pitchside at Twickenham Stadium holding a 'UWL graduation' sign.
Graduate taking a selfie pitchside at Twickenham Stadium

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