First Students Graduate From Medway School of Pharmacy
Medway School of Pharmacy, an innovative joint project between the universities of Greenwich and Kent, held its first awards ceremony on Friday July 13 in the Pilkington Building on the Universities at Medway Campus.
Thirty students received their qualifications at the ceremony, including the school’s very first cohort of graduates, who have been studying for the Foundation Degree in Community Pharmacy Practice. Also celebrating were practising pharmacists who qualified for the Postgraduate Certificate in Supplementary Prescribing.
The graduands took part in a specially-devised joint ceremony and wore distinctive academic dress, newly designed for Medway School of Pharmacy combining the colours of Kent and Greenwich. The universities’ Vice-Chancellors, Professor Sir David Melville (Kent) and Baroness Blackstone (Greenwich), each made an address, along with one of the graduating students.
The academic procession was preceded by mace bearers from both universities. Prizes were awarded to students with outstanding performance.
The graduates were joined by friends and family together with staff from both universities and the Mayor of Medway, Councillor Val Goulden.
Baroness Tessa Blackstone, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, says: “We are delighted to celebrate your success today. You are at the forefront of regeneration in Medway and South East England and will I am sure contribute a great deal to pharmacies, research, and industry throughout the region.”
Professor Sir David Melville, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent says: “The awards that you receive today recognise the skills that you have learned but also signal your employability and future service to society.”
Professor Clare Mackie, Head of Medway School of Pharmacy, says:
"Our students are making history today by receiving a Foundation Degree in Pharmacy Practice, the first in this country accredited by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. This qualification has also been recognised by the European Union as meeting the appropriate EU Directive. "
Jonathan Murphy, one of the Medway School of Pharmacy graduates says: “We feel very privileged to be the first student graduating from the school and very grateful for the effort by all the staff to create such a great atmosphere here.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Photos available on request.
For further information, please contact
Nick Davison
Press Officer,
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 8092.
Email: n.a.p.davison@gre.ac.uk
Nick Ellwood
Marketing and Communications Officer
University of Kent at Medway
Tel: 01634 888879
Email: N.J.Ellwood@kent.ac.uk