Students ready for UQ graduation

THE first of University of Queensland’s (UQ) seven mid-year graduation ceremonies kicks off in Ipswich today with two cohorts of students graduating from new degrees.

Among those graduating are the first graduates of a Masters of Nursing Studies (Graduate Entry) degree and the new dual degree, Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery.

As UQ’s first graduate from the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery degree, Melissa Juttner will swap the maternity ward for centre stage when she makes a delivery of a different kind.

The 21-year-old Robina resident has been awarded the prestigious honour of delivering the valedictorian speech at UQ’s Ipswich graduation ceremony.

Head of UQ’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Catherine Turner, congratulated Ms Juttner and her fellow graduates on their success.

“It is an outstanding achievement to be selected as valedictorian and Melissa is a shining example of the intelligence and skill of our future nurses and midwives,” Professor Turner said.

“UQ is proud to deliver another 29 nurses and 48 midwives into the Australian health system this semester, and our first cohort of dual degree Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery and Master of Nursing Studies (Graduate Entry) graduates.”

Almost 6000 students will graduate from UQ this week.

The first ceremony will be held at the Ipswich Civic Centre and the rest will be at the UQ Centre, St Lucia.