Celebrating graduation firsts

23 July 2010

The first cohorts of students graduated this year in two programmes, the BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management in the Faculty of Business and Law and the Foundation Degree / BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Studies in the Faculty of Health and Applied Social Sciences.

The HRM graduates – not to mention lecturers Maureen Royce, Peter Cureton and Ian Lovegrove - got an extra surprise when they turned up for their group photo, Chancellor Dr Brian May was there too. All were a little star-struck, with the graduates laughing that it was first time that they’d seen Maureen tongue-tied. The Chancellor took time out to talk to the graduates and in particular to Louisa Marshall who explained how her work placement – not to mention her First Class Honours degree - had helped her secure a position as Recruitment Co-ordinator with Lloyds Banking Group.

Most of the graduates on LJMU’s portfolio of Paramedic Practice programmes have had to complete their studies while working full-time. Many are already employed with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), who have worked closely with the Faculty of Health and Applied Social Sciences in developing and delivering the programmes, which includes a Foundation Degree in Paramedic Practice and post-registration professional development programmes for paramedics and other pre-hospital care staff.

Two of the graduates are very familiar faces in the Faculty – both Paul Jones and John Ambrose are tutors on the paramedic courses as well as being practicing paramedics. They were awarded a BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Practice along with NWAS Advanced Paramedic Colin Whiley.