Thousands to cross the stage for ARU graduations

Published: 9 November 2023 at 13:00

Graduation

Students to celebrate their achievements in Chelmsford, Cambridge and Peterborough

Almost 2,700 Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) students will graduate at ceremonies across Chelmsford, Cambridge and Peterborough over the next month.

ARU is holding its autumn graduation ceremonies from 14 November until 5 December, with students crossing the stage to officially mark the successful completion of their degrees.

There will be four ceremonies at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on 14 and 15 November. The focus will turn to Essex between 20-22 November, with eight ceremonies taking place at Chelmsford cathedral. Finally, a ceremony for students in Peterborough will take place at the city’s cathedral on 5 December.

Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said:

“Congratulations to all our students graduating this November and December. They should be truly proud of their success, with many of them having begun their studies in the midst of a global pandemic.

“It will be a great pleasure to see our students cross the stage and celebrate with their friends and loved ones in the heart of Cambridge, Chelmsford and Peterborough.”


As well as graduating students and their guests, ARU will bestow the award of Honorary Doctor of Health Sciences on internationally renowned surgeon Ashraf Patel MBE.

Ashraf was born in India and came to the UK in 1997 after qualifying as a surgeon in Mumbai. He made his home in Essex, working at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping and The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.

In 1997, Ashraf became involved in breast cancer clinical research. And over the next two and a half decades, he was to play a key role - predominantly as Principal Investigator - in many clinical trials for innovative breast cancer therapies. 

In 2021, Ashraf’s achievements were formally recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, when he was awarded an MBE for services to funding and research for breast cancer.

Ashraf will receive his award during a ceremony on Wednesday, 22 November in Chelmsford.