Message from Dr Anne Wright that appeared in the Academic Brochure:
Welcome to our historic first Academic Awards Ceremonies as the University of Sunderland.
With the award of City Status, Sunderland's City Challenge success and an appearance at the FA Cup Final, 1992 has been a tremendous year for Wearside.
Many of the students receiving awards today have played a valuable role in the Sunderland Success Story. Many have enjoyed fruitful placements in local industry and commerce and some have improved the standing of the University in the local community through voluntary work for such organisations as Wear FM, the campus-based radio station, which was this year voted Radio Station of the Year in the prestigious Sony Awards. We regard education as an asset for life, and it is appropriate that the achievements of distinguished individuals and institutions should be recognised alongside those of our own students.
Times are changing rapidly in higher education, and it seems strange to think that the students here today enrolled on a course not at a University, but at a Polytechnic.
There is unprecedented demand for high quality training programmes providing students with the practical and relevant skills required by industry and society. The University of Sunderland is committed to expanding to a student body of 18,000 by the turn of the century and, by then, the traditional divide between full and part-time study will probably have disappeared.
Students will study on more accessible modular schemes, flexibly suited to people's changing lifestyles and educational needs. Education fosters a great sense of community and there will be some feelings of sadness for students leaving the University for the last time today. Whatever their destination, I hope that all of our students will join the University's Alumni Society.
We will keep them informed of developments at the University and help them to stay in touch with old friends. We are delighted that so many friends and relatives have been able to join in this special occasion. On behalf of everyone at the University, I offer our students my warmest congratulations. We are proud of you - enjoy your day!