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Celebrations worldwide as the Class of 2020 graduate virtually

This week has seen thousands of students graduate, with the ceremonies taking place online for the first time in the College’s near 200 year-history.

Over 6,000 people from around the world viewed this week’s graduation celebrations, which saw Birkbeck students from 43 different countries graduate online. The achievements of over 3,300 students were recognised and commended in a series of 18 ceremonies which took place over four days, from Monday 2 November to Thursday 5 November.

The 2020 graduates were congratulated and addressed by Professor David Latchman CBE, Vice-Chancellor; Baroness Joan Bakewell, President; Professor Joanna Bourke, College Orator; academic staff; alumni; and four new Fellows of the College: John Kelly, Marai Larasi, Elizabeth Whitehead and Peter Zinkin.

Professor David Latchman commented: “Congratulations to all the graduates, they should be exceptionally proud of their achievements. It was wonderful to celebrate with them virtually this week and reflect on their accomplishments. I wish them all the best for the future and encourage them to stay in touch with us by becoming active members of our alumni community.”

Patricia Bonifaz Carrillo, who graduated with a BSc Business degree this week, said: “I’m so happy to be celebrating my graduation! I feel so proud that I have managed to obtain a degree – something that I never thought was possible. I fell in love with Birkbeck as soon as I began studying at the university - I enjoyed the evening classes and I received excellent support for my English as it isn’t my first language. For anyone thinking of studying at Birkbeck – don’t doubt your skills or abilities - just go for it and apply!”

Graduates are sharing their personal stories of their time at Birkbeck over the next couple of weeks in a series of blogs. Alex Jimenez Mendoza, BSc Business Psychology graduate, has written a blog about moving to the UK from Barcelona and his experiences of being an international student at Birkbeck. Natalie Pulfer, MA Arts Policy and Management graduate, has shared her story  about following her passion, moving from a career in social work to studying for an Arts degree and explains how the College supported her through her dyslexia diagnosis. Daniella Kroni, who graduated this week with a MSc in Human Resource Management, tells of her time completing her Master’s whilst being pregnant, caring for a one-year-old child and working full-time in her blog.

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