Over 180 higher education (HE) students from Gower College Swansea have marked their academic achievements at a special graduation ceremony at the Swansea Building Society Arena.
The graduates were there to celebrate completing a wide range of higher-level courses including advice and guidance, computing and technology, law and criminology, leadership and management, built environment and marketing.
The College works in partnership with a number of universities to deliver?higher level programmes?including Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, University of South Wales, Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University.
“Today, Welsh Government places a great emphasis upon education, and particularly further and higher education, in terms of delivering the higher level skills that are needed to support a strong economy across Wales,” says Principal, Paul Kift.
“We are therefore delighted that Gower College Swansea is able to support this agenda whilst at the same time continuing to develop new higher education courses which meet the needs of Swansea and the South West Wales region.
“We congratulate all of our students who have achieved their higher education qualifications. They are a credit to themselves, their families, their employers and to the College and we wish them well in their future careers and look forward to hearing of their continued success.”
“At Gower College Swansea, we are committed to shaping a higher education offer that truly meets the future skills needs of employers and learners,” says Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Fountain. “Our new HE Strategy focuses on delivering flexible, innovative courses at Levels 4 and 5, some including online learning, while strengthening partnerships to ensure fast-tracked course development and accreditation. This is about creating opportunities and preparing our students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen careers.”
The evening was also an opportunity for students to showcase their talents, with the College’s talented jazz band providing the arrival entertainment in the Arena foyer and our fantastic Level 4 Performing Arts students taking to the stage to open the graduation ceremony.
This year, Gower College Swansea was honoured to award a special Certificate of Fellowship to former student Adele Thomas, an award-winning director noted for her highly physical, pared-back stagings for theatre and opera.
She is currently Co-General Director and CEO of Welsh National Opera, alongside Sarah Crabtree.
Among her other achievements are being a founding member of Freelancers Make Theatre Work, and an Honorary Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University.
Adele is an alumnus of Cambridge University, the RTYDS scheme and the National Theatre Young Director’s course.
Speaking about her time at College, Adele said “The big change was when I went to Gorseinon…It was heaven. That’s where I really began to experience all forms of arts – film, drama, visual art – and see possibilities. Without Gorseinon, I’d never have felt confident enough to deal with going to Cambridge.”
