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Honorary Fellowships Awarded at Belfast Met Graduation
Belfast Metropolitan College celebrated the achievements of over 1,000 higher education learners at its annual Graduation which was held in Titanic Belfast on 9th November.
The annual event welcomed 2,000 guests over two ceremonies and recognised students from the Faculties of Technologies and Academic Studies, Leadership, Science and Service Industries and Health, Care, Sport and Leisure.
Belfast Met conferred an Honorary Fellowship Award to Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport who was awarded for his outstanding contribution to tourism and economic development in Northern Ireland. Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest NI, was also awarded an honorary fellowship award for his outstanding contribution to enterprise and economic development in Northern Ireland.
Brian Ambrose Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport said:
“It is an honour to receive an Honorary Fellowship from Belfast Metropolitan College at a time when both Tourism in Northern Ireland and passenger throughput at the airport are hitting record highs. I had the privilege of graduating from the College many years ago and have been an interested observer as the Belfast Met has gone from strength to strength. I had the opportunity today to meet many of the 2015 graduates and it is exciting to know they are set to be the future leaders in tourism, aviation and the wider economy.
“Reflecting upon and sharing experiences from my own career with the 2015 graduates was a reminder of how far the tourism industry and business has come in recent years and I hope I have in some small way inspired the next generation to take hold of every opportunity and make the next 40 years just as successful.”
Alastair Hamilton, CEO Invest NI said:
“It was a great honour and privilege to receive the Honorary Fellowship Award from Belfast Metropolitan College for contribution to Enterprise and Economic Development, which is a reflection of the entire team of dedicated professionals at Invest NI. For me, it was fitting to receive the special casting from the Foundry at the Millfield Campus, where I started my education as an apprentice many years ago.”
The Graduation ceremonies included an Academic Procession, performance from Belfast Met’s student choir, a range of award-winning student bands and refreshments in Belfast Met’s Titanic Quarter Campus.
Attendees also participated in a ‘snap-enger’ hunt using the popular app Snapchat. Participants were asked to find and photograph themselves with ‘#madeatthemet’ props which were hidden within the Titanic Belfast building in order to win prizes. This competition officially launched the Belfast Met snap chat account ‘Belfastmet’ .