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This year’s Summer Graduation ceremonies will take place over three days from July 13-15
Graduation ceremonies will return to Abertay University this summer as the institution stages its biggest ever programme of celebrations.
This year’s Summer Graduation ceremonies will take place over three days from July 13-15 at the Caird Hall in Dundee, with graduates crossing the stage in-person for the first time since 2019, watched by a full audience of family, friends, supporters and academic staff.
As well as toasting the success of the class of 2022, the ceremonies will recognise the cohorts from 2020 and 2021 who were previously unable to attend in-person events due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With more than 1500 students due to attend across the three days, in addition to more than 4500 guests, the celebration will be the biggest in the University’s 28-year history. An additional special drinks reception open to all graduates will also be held at V&A Dundee Museum of Design, where Abertay University is a founding partner.
The ceremony on 13 July includes the installation of Abertay’s first female Principal, Professor Liz Bacon who took up the role last month after previously serving as the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor since 2018.
This year’s Honorary Graduates include rugby legend and MND campaigner Doddie Weir, Olympian Eilidh Doyle, former Abertay Chancellor and distinguished lawyer Lord Cullen and Andi Lothian, the founder of multi-award-winning people development company Insights.
Graduation is always the most exciting and important event in the University calendar but this year will be that little bit more special given the challenges our graduates have successfully come through. It’s hugely pleasing that so many of our new and existing graduates will be able to join us and I’m looking forward to being a part of their special day.
Speaking about the Honorary Graduates, Professor Bacon said:
This year’s honorary graduates are highly esteemed in their respective fields and are the perfect role models for our graduates and the University more widely. I’m delighted that they have accepted our invitation and look forward to welcoming them to the Abertay family.
Doddie Weir is a former Scottish rugby union player who won 61 international caps for the Scotland team and is the founder of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a charity that raises funds to aid research into the causes of Motor Neurone Disease and investigate potential cures. Doddie himself announced in 2017 that he had been diagnosed with the disease.
Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete, Eilidh Doyle, will also receive an honorary degree this year. Eilidh represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and won an Olympic bronze medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. Eilidh was the first woman to carry the flag for Scotland at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Lord Cullen of Whitekirk was Chancellor of Abertay for a decade from 2009 until 2019. Formerly Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord Cullen has had a distinguished career in public life, notably leading important and influential inquiries into the Dunblane massacre, the Piper Alpha tragedy and the Ladbroke Grove train crash.
Andi Lothian founded Insights in 1993. From a small two-man consultancy, Insights has grown into a global leader in self-awareness and people development. The company employs almost 600 people in 18 countries and enjoys an annual turnover of c.£70m. Prior to Insights, Andi had a successful career as a theatrical agent and bought iconic musicians including The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and David Bowie to Scotland. He is credited with coining the phrase ‘Beatlemania’.
