PHOTOS: Harper’s Graduation Ceremony

It was a day of celebrations at Harper Adams last Friday, with nearly 600 students attending the graduation awards ceremony.

Students from around the country – many accompanied by parents – converged on the Shropshire campus for the day-long event.

Principal Professor Wynne Jones, highlighting the current volatility in the financial markets, stressed to graduates that the “ability to respond quickly to change” will be one of the most important attributes they could have.

“You graduating today possess this ability,” he said. “It is relevant to remind ourselves that the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those that cannot read or write, but those who cannot or will not learn and re-learn.

“The world’s most urgent challenge is to develop sustainable energy as well as sustainable agricultural systems, improve water quality and availability, address the causes of and understand global climate change, and to assure food security as well as food safety,” he added.

The day also saw Harper present its first ever honorary degrees – awarded to vice president of Business in the Community Dame Julia Cleverdon, and secretary and national adviser to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers Jeremy Moody.

There was more good news for students and staff yesterday too, when the Sunday Times named the venue as the UK’s Best University College in its University Guide 2008, the second year running it’s been given the accolade.