Headteachers and principals from schools and colleges in Barnet and across London were welcomed to Middlesex University for the start of this week’s Graduation ceremonies and met MDX graduate and internationally-acclaimed fashion designer Martine Rose.
Educators from five schools and colleges attended yesterday’s celebrations to highlight the contribution that local schools make towards preparing students for university, as well as the launch of Middlesex’s Lifelong Learning pathway, a new initiative which guarantees places and interviews to university applicants from the Borough of Barnet. The visitors included headteachers and representatives from Barnet and Southgate College, Copthall School in Mill Hill, and St James’ Catholic High School in Colindale.
They also had an opportunity to meet Martine who is among eight people to receive honorary degrees from the University this week that celebrate exceptional individuals who have made a lasting impact to their profession and a difference to society.
A Middlesex University alumna, Martine studied BA Fashion at the School of Art and Design between 1999 and 2002 while her love for fashion was sparked by the energy and style of south London’s rave and reggae scenes in the 1990s. Today her successful eponymous menswear brand is celebrated for its authenticity and relatability, with fans including global icons such as Drake, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky. Earlier this year, she was enlisted by American rapper Kendrick Lamar to create a custom-made ‘Gloria’ jacket for his halftime Super Bowl performance.
The University’s Graduation ceremonies celebrate the success, hard work and resilience of MDX students, and almost 14,000 students (including some 2,700 partner students who studied elsewhere and had their degrees validated by MDX) were invited to attend at the Hendon campus.
Graduation is also an opportunity for the University to recognise and say thank you to former students, staff, community workers, and leaders in their profession who have made a difference to their field and to society in a way that aligns with the University’s commitment to educational opportunity, inclusivity, social impact, and innovation.
This week’s honorary degree recipients are being recognised in a wide range of areas and disciplines that include disability awareness, patient advocacy, diversity and inclusion in literature, law, business, educational accessibility and advancement, and mental health in the workplace, as well as fashion, with achievements that exemplify the University’s values and vision.
Commenting on the Awards, Middlesex University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Shân Wareing said: “We’re delighted that these distinguished individuals have accepted Middlesex University’s recognition of their wonderful contributions in their respective fields and communities across the creative arts, law and business, disability awareness, diversity and inclusion, patient advocacy, mental health, education, charity work and more.
“It gives me great pleasure to hear their inspiring stories, to welcome them to our Middlesex community during our graduation ceremonies, and to be able to honour and thank them for their exceptional achievements.”
Of the 13,917 students, including partner students, invited to attend this week’s ceremonies, 9,572 are undergraduate students, 4,202 are postgraduates, while 143 are doctoral students.
