Graduation 2024!

University Centre South Essex (part of South Essex Colleges Group) students celebrated their higher education achievements at the university’s annual Graduation ceremony.

The event, which took place at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, saw more than 260 students receive higher education awards in a range of subjects, with 15 graduates receiving special awards.

The diplomas were awarded by special guest, Ashley Banjo, who first shot to fame after winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 with his dance group Diversity, beating worldwide sensation Susan Boyle to first place. Since then both Ashley and Diversity have continued to spearhead dance in the mainstream, performed all over the world and become household names in the UK.

Ashley was honoured with a degree Doctor of Civil Law honoris causa from the University of East Anglia.

He gave an inspiring speech to the class of 2024 and said: “It is a great honour to receive this honorary doctorate and even more of an honour to hand the diplomas to the graduates and share in their amazing achievements.”.

“I came here with the hope of inspiring the graduates and my advice would be don’t be scared to make mistakes, embrace life, work hard and if you have a clean heart you are exactly where you are meant to be in that moment. The degree itself doesn’t define you, the journey to getting your degree is what defines you, and shows how strong you are and what you can achieve. Do what’s true to you”.

Diversity are opening five new studios in five new locations around the world to expand their teaching. They will also be celebrating 20 years of performing with their 20-year Diversity anniversary tour which is coming soon.

Chair of the College Corporation, Dame Sally Dicketts, said: “Graduation is one of life’s red letter days – an important and memorable occasion. It is a rite of passage marking the end of this particular journey and the start of a new one.

“Congratulations to all the graduates, we are very proud of you and we wish you all the best for the future, you deserve it!”

Group Chief Executive of South Essex Colleges Group, Denise Brown, added her congratulations to all award winners, saying:” Graduation is a special night, we are all extremely proud of our students’ achievements this year and wish them all the best for the future. We would like to thank all those who attended and our distinguished guests who included Deputy Lieutenant of Essex Tim Gocher, The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Ron Woodley and Chair of the College Corporation, Dame Sally Dicketts. 

For more information about the University Centre’s higher education courses, visit https://www.southessex.ac.uk/he