GRADUATES receiving their new qualifications were urged to stand up for what is “right and proper” to make a better world for their children and grandchildren by Great Yarmouth's retiring rector.

GRADUATES receiving their new qualifications were urged to stand up for what is “right and proper” to make a better world for their children and grandchildren by Great Yarmouth's retiring rector.

Canon Michael Woods warned more than 100 graduates and their 500 family and friends gathered in St Nicholas Church on Friday last week of “dark clouds on the horizon” of promise-breaking, indifference, self-seeking and self-satisfaction.

He urged the graduates to go out into the world and stand up for what is “right and proper”, living kindness and a world in which justice “is always tempered by mercy” and making the needs of others paramount.

“Stand by these things and you will be proud to hand over to your children and grand children a better world than this.”

The rector, who retires later this year, received rapturous applause for his speech as guest of honour at the graduation ceremony for University Campus Suffolk (UCS) Great Yarmouth.

The homegrown graduates were the first since the college became a partner with UCS offering a widening portfolio of degree, foundation degree and other higher education courses at its Southtown campus.

The qualifications received were joint awards from the University of East Anglia and University of Essex.

The new graduates received degrees, Higher National Diplomas, Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, NVQ level fours professional qualifications, certificates in teaching and postgraduate teaching qualifications.

Subjects included photography and digital medial textiles, music, counselling and therapeutic care, childhood and youth studies, registered managers' award, health ad social care, computing and engineering.

Currently more than 200 students are studying higher education programmes at UCS Great Yarmouth with more degrees and foundation degrees starting in September and 2009 and 2010.

During the ceremony, two new honorary fellowships and an honorary degree were awarded to three men for their contribution to their chosen fields of work.

Retired hospital consultant Hugh Sturzaker, whose name is synonymous with the James Paget University Trust for which he worked and campaigned tirelessly since its opening in 1981, was honoured for his contribution to the community and health in the borough.

Mr Sturzaker played a crucial role in the development of a district hospital in an area with the worst health provision to a leading University Trust teaching hospital.

Although he retired in 2005, he is an Honorary Consultant and was elected as a Governor of the James Paget University Foundation NHS Trust two years ago and is now deputy chair of Governors.

Also receiving an honorary fellowship was chef Richard Hughes for his services to the catering industry and his dedication to train and educate through his cookery school at his Lavender House restaurant at Brundall. Mr Hughes is a former student of the college who began his career aged 15 at Yarmouth's Imperial Hotel.

An honorary degree was presented to Tim How, chief executive of Majestic Wine until his retirement earlier this year.

Mr How, who grew up in Norfolk and has recently built a home in North Norfolk where he indulges his passion of sailing, is being recognised for his outstanding contribution to business.

In the Mercury on November 14, a four page supplement covering the new graduates and degrees.

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