RMIT congratulates class of 2018

A record number of graduands from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of experiences across Vocational Education, Higher Education, Higher Degree by research (PhD) and beyond are set to join a global network for more than 400,000 RMIT alumni.

Nearly 9,000 graduands will be attending the event in front of an expected crowd of more than 40,000 people.

National Gallery of Victoria Director Tony Ellwood AM will also be presented with an Honorary Doctorate at the ceremony.

Ellwood will receive a Doctor of Arts honoris causa in recognition of his leadership in the Australian arts sector.

The ceremony will follow RMIT’s iconic graduation parade which was held this morning and saw almost 5,000 students in academic dress walk down Swanston Street with family and friends watching on.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President Martin Bean CBE and RMIT staff joined the parade and the group was met at Federation Square by RMIT Chancellor Dr Ziggy Switkowski AO and City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

The Vice-Chancellor said graduation was the launching pad for graduands entering a brave new world and reiterated the importance of staying connected with other RMIT alumni.

“We’re proud to have provided our students with the confidence, knowledge, skills and connections they need to succeed in an ever-changing world,” he said.

“Our graduates are diverse and span the globe, living and working in more than 130 countries – that is an invaluable network to be a part of.”

Bachelor of Computer Science graduand Jacqui Shadforth is starting work as a graduate software developer at RMIT industry partner REA Group (realestate.com.au) next year. She was always interested in technology and computers, but it took a Bachelor of Design to lead her to her eventual career.

She said RMIT had taught her how to learn – not just what to learn, acknowledging that her learning wouldn’t stop once she left University.

“I feel confident that I could pick up a new programming language or concept because what I’ve learnt during my computer science degree has laid a strong foundation,” she said.

“Throughout my degree, I’ve been looking at and learning cutting-edge technology that industry is using.”

Bachelor of Business graduate Omar Al Kassab came to Australia in 2014 after fleeing Syria as a refugee. He’d previously started an engineering degree and a pharmacology degree overseas.

“Education has always been one of the most important things in my life and being at RMIT is an important chapter,” he said.

“Now I’m proud to graduate.”

Omar will begin work as a management consultant at RMIT industry partner Deloitte in 2019, helping companies adapt to the changing world of work.

“There were lots of things going on at RMIT outside of classes. You would go to workshops, learn about blockchain, new technology and that’s been really helpful for me to get a job,” he said.

- Ends

Available for interview after 5pm:

• Jacqui Shadforth
• Omar Al Kassab
• Steph Doyle (Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering graduand who will begin her PhD in tissue engineering in 2019) 

For general media inquiries, please contact RMIT Communications: 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au.