Students take to the streets for South Auckland's first graduation procession

Friday 27 May marks the first-ever graduation procession through the streets of South Auckland, as 1,072 students graduate from Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT).

Dr Peter Brothers, Chief Executive of MIT, says that the procession represents a coming of age for South Auckland.

"It's a fantastic achievement. The procession is a demonstration of the increasing numbers of people in South Auckland earning an education, and entering the workforce."

"Our aim is to get our students into great jobs. The vast majority of our graduates are successful in going onto great jobs, further study, or both."

"The skills and knowledge developed by this year's graduates will help continue to improve the future of South Auckland."

1,072 South Auckland students are graduating from MIT over four days of ceremonies and events (25-28 May).

A further 4,025 students received certificates and awards during 2015, bringing the total number of people who have achieved qualifications from MIT in the last year to 5,208.

34% of this year's graduates are Pasifika and Māori students, and range in age from 18 to 62.

Many of the graduates are trained in professions needing more workers; including 479 business and IT professionals, 214 nurses, 173 early childhood educators and counsellors, and 107 engineers.

MIT will celebrate the awarding of two PhDs, 16 Master's degrees, 786 Bachelor degrees and 397 Diplomas at three graduation ceremonies at the Vodafone Events Centre on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 May, 2016.

The Institute will also hold a Pasifika Thanksgiving Service at MIT Manukau 7pm on Wednesday 25 May, a Māori graduation celebration – Tuku Taonga at 5pm and a Certificate ceremony at 7.00pm on Thursday 26 May.

The graduation procession will start at 9.30am on Friday 27 May, and parade through Manukau centre before returning to MIT Manukau for speeches.

QUICK FACTS: MIT 2016 GRADUATION

AWARD CONFERRED

Total number of graduates: 5,208

Doctorates: 2
Masters: 16
Bachelor degree and Level 7: 786
Diploma: 397
Certificates & Awards: 4,025

AREA OF STUDY

Business & IT: 479 (44%)
Nursing & Health Studies: 214 (20%)
Education & Social Sciences: 173 (16%)
Engineering: 107 (10%)
Creative Arts: 76 (7%)

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

Pasifika: 248 (23%)
Māori: 115 (11%)
Oldest student: Born in 1954 – 62 years old
Youngest student: Born in 1997 - 18 years old

CEREMONIES

Wed 25 May 7.00pm - Pasifika Graduates Thanksgiving Service, MIT Manukau
Thurs 26 May 5.00pm - Māori Graduation Celebration – Tuku Taonga, Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, MIT Otara
Thurs 26 May 7.30pm - Certificate Ceremony, MIT Manukau
Fri 27 May 9.30am - Graduand Procession, MIT Manukau
Fri 27 May 7.30pm - Diploma Ceremony, Vodafone Events Centre
Sat 28 May 11.00am - Degree and Postgraduate Ceremony: Education and Social Sciences, Nursing and Health Studies, Vodafone Events Centre
Sat 28 May 4.00pm - Degree and Postgraduate Ceremony: Creative Arts, Engineering and Trades, Business and IT, Southern Cross, Vodafone Events Centre

MIT Graduation

For more information, images or interviews please contact:
Steph McDonald, External Communications Advisor
Manukau Institute of Technology
09 968 8770 | 027 424 1716 | steph.mcdonald@manukau.ac.nz

Email:


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