In a rewarding year for MRes that has yielded 146 completions to date, the event saw many of these students coming to celebrate alongside several staff involved in the program, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sakkie Pretorius and Dean of Higher Degree Research Professor Nick Mansfield.

As well as a much-deserved celebration, the event highlighted the research path ahead, with many MRes students expected to continue their research careers here at Macquarie, and provided a forum for future research discussion among fledgling PhD candidates.

The MRes, which combines coursework with a major research project, is proving (albeit anecdotally) to provide better preparation for PhD studies. Former MRes student and current PhD candidate, Nicole Miles says she would recommend the degree to anyone considering a future in research.

“Not only has the MRes prepared me to start my PhD confidently, it has also equipped me with the knowledge and experience required to work as a research assistant,” says Nicole.

Dean of Higher Degree Research Professor Nick Mansfield is also impressed with how prepared our PhD candidates are when taking the MRes pathway.

“MRes graduates are better prepared for HDR than ever before, more confident and with a stronger research background,” says Nick.

While Macquarie’s MRes program grows stronger, other Australian universities are now looking to follow suit. However with the quality and popularity of Macquarie’s offering growing, other institutions, including some in the Group of Eight, definitely have some catching up to do.

Mid-session break saw the campus buzzing with elated graduates and their families, happily returning to campus to celebrate their achievements during the September Graduation series.

The series saw nearly 3200 students receive awards, with thousands more guests in attendance. Of the degrees conferred, 167 went to Doctoral candidates and 46 went to our first cohort of Doctor of Physiotherapy graduates. A further 41 exceptional students received a Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation for meritorious work.

Receiving an honorary doctorate this season was the Chairman of the Australian Stock Exchange, Rick Holliday-Smith BA(Hons) FAICD. The honorary doctorate recognises Holliday-Smith’s distinguished career in the banking and financial services industry, which has spanned nearly 40 years.

Following success at previous graduation seasons, all ceremonies were live streamed via YouTube, facilitating the welcome inclusion of family, friends, and supporters who weren’t able to attend the event on site. In addition to this, all ceremonies were live-streamed to China as all.

A popular uptake of the hashtag #mqgrads saw hundreds of graduates post their photos across a number of social media platforms, to have their images shared with the wider University community as well as on the big screen in the courtyard in real time. Here is a selection of posts from Instagram and Twitter:

If one of your students is graduating next month who you believe has an unusual story to share about their time at Macquarie, we want to hear from you.

Please email the Communications team (communications@mq.edu.au)

The April Graduations series saw 3900 students receive awards, with more than 15,000 guests in attendance. The University awarded more than 5300 degrees, diplomas and certificates. Of the degrees conferred, 122 went to Doctoral PhD candidates. A further 93 exceptional students were awarded a Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation Award for meritorious work.

Two significant honorary doctorates were awarded to candidates representing leadership in environment law and property development.

John Whitehouse, accredited as one of Australia’s leading environment and planning lawyers was recognised with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa. Vice Chairman of Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd, Colin Lam, also received an honorary doctorate in Business, in acknowledgment of his business achievements.

The ceremonies were also joined by some exciting speakers ranging from founding member of The Wiggles, Dr Murray Cook AM and taekwondo Olympic gold medalist Lauren Burns OAM.

Following a successful pilot in 2014, all ceremonies were live streamed via YouTube, facilitating the welcome inclusion of family, friends, and supporters who weren’t able to attend the event on site.

A successful uptake of the hashtag #mqgrads meant the hundreds of graduates who posted their photos across a number of social media platforms could have their images shared with the wider University community. Here is a selection of posts from Instagram and Twitter:

Complete the online registration form.

Note: volunteers are not required for the academic procession.

For more information contact Senior Graduation Officer Ken Wong (ken.wong@mq.edu.au).

Heather Ridout AO, acknowledged as one of Australia’s ‘True Leaders’ by the Australia Financial Review’s Boss Magazine,  was recognised with a Doctor of Business honoris causa on Monday 29 September, for her considerable contributions to business, industry and indigenous education promotion.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this honorary doctorate from a great university,” Ridout says. “I’ve had a long association with Macquarie University and that makes this honour doubly special.”

Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe OAM also received an honorary doctorate, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to both sport and philanthropy.

“This extraordinary swimmer has a special connection to our University,” says Vice-Chancellor, Professor S. Bruce Dowton. “He was often seen across campus while he studied towards a Bachelor of Arts degree, and trained for the Olympics in our sports centre.”

One of the world’s most powerful and influential women banking executives, Gail Kelly, also received a Doctor of Business honoris causa on Wednesday.

“Receiving this degree from Macquarie University is very special recognition and I am both honoured and delighted,” said Kelly. “I’ve always admired the University for its outstanding reputation and first class facilities.”

Kelly began her banking career in 1980 in South Africa, and by 2001 had held various senior management roles in a broad range of areas, including retail and commercial banking, strategy, marketing and human resources.  She has spent the last twelve years as CEO of two Australian banks; St.George Bank from 2002 to 2007 and Westpac from 2008 to date.

Gail is Chairman of the Australian Bankers’ Association, and sits on the Business Council of Australia, the Financial Markets Foundation for Children, the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council, and is also CARE Australia’s Ambassador for Women’s Empowerment.

“We are delighted to recognise Ms Kelly for her outstanding contribution to business and gender equality,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor S. Bruce Dowton. “Her address was a unique opportunity for the next generation of leaders to hear from one of the world’s most successful businesswomen, who encouraged them to have ‘generosity of spirit’, in their new careers and beyond.”

We also celebrated our first Indigenous graduates of the Master of Indigenous Education, and our first Indigenous woman to graduate with a law PhD.

Staff have also been amongst the first round of graduands.

Alumni Relations Administrative Assistant Chloe Braithwaite has assisted at her fair share of graduation ceremonies, but last week she experienced the flip side and accepted her Bachelor in Science – Psychology.

“I’ve actually worked at so many ceremonies, so it felt a bit bizarre. It’s definitely exciting though, and there’s a real sense of accomplishment,” said Chloe.

Carmen Germain, Clinical Psychology Registrar in the Counselling Service, Campus Wellbeing, also accepted her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology after six years of study.

“I have had the full support of my managers and amazing colleagues throughout the degree, and of course it has been very convenient being in the one location for work and study.The support and supervision through the Centre for Emotional Health (Department of Psychology) has been fantastic, and the quality of the teaching and placement opportunities was exemplary,” said Carmen.

Payroll Operations Coordinator Helen Hoare accepted her Bachelor of Arts – Ancient History on Friday.

“I am thrilled – it has been a long time coming and I am really happy to have finally finished my degree!” said Helen.

“I will be graduating in my Grandfather’s mortarboard from the 1940s. He was a Classicist, and I am very happy to have followed in his footsteps for this degree.”

And it was a family affair for 70-year-old Dr Camilla Gordon, who was awarded her astronomy PhD. Not only was she joined on stage by her 71-year-old brother (also a prominent astronomer) in the academic procession, her daughter – an actor based in New York – got to see Camilla graduate alongside Cate Blanchett.

Congratulations to all the staff and students graduating this season. We tip our trenchers to you!

See some of last week’s social media highlights: