Students enthusiastic about qualifications

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About 300 Otago Polytechnic graduands, staff members and other supporters walked through George St, Dunedin, yesterday in an incident-free academic procession before a graduation ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall.

About 240 people graduated in person with diplomas, certificates and degrees in many disciplines, including occupational therapy, architecture, building and engineering, hospitality, and veterinary nursing at the afternoon ceremony.

A further 230 graduands graduated in absentia.

During the procession, one student celebrated his big day by puffing a cigar as he walked.

Nearby, an onlooker used a duck-caller to gave an enthusiastic greeting.

Many family members and friends gathered outside the Meridian mall and several other spots on the route waving and pointing to individual students and taking photographs.

Several graduands told the Otago Daily Times about the life-changing power of tertiary education, saying they were excited to be graduating and that their qualifications had quickly helped them gain jobs or apprenticeships.

"It makes it a lot easier to get a job," said Steven Paton, whose auto-technology qualification has helped him land a diesel mechanic apprenticeship.

South African-born Jandre Vanzyl (27) said his two-year diploma in civil engineering enabled him to get a job in Dunedin.

Saffron Kelman (22) said graduation was "very exciting". Her bachelor of occupational therapy degree had enabled her to gain a hospital-based job in Auckland.

The main graduation address was given by Lindsay Dey, managing director of Impact Consulting Ltd.

Otago Polytechnic Students Association co-president Ryan Ward said education remained a good investment during tough economic times.

Otago Polytechnic had built a reputation for high quality vocational training, with most students gaining jobs as soon as they completed their qualifications, he said in an interview.