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CAT’s Graduate School of the Environment welcomed our 2022 graduates and guests for our very first hybrid graduation ceremony on Saturday 9 July in-person at CAT and live online.
The ceremony saw over 120 graduates celebrated for completing their studies on our MSc and MArch courses which cover a range of topics relating to solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
In the first ceremony of its kind, we were able to welcome graduates and their guests in-person at CAT and online from across the world, giving everyone the chance to catch up with fellow graduates and staff and celebrate their achievements together.
The lasting impact of CAT graduates
Interim Co-CEO Eileen Kinsman opened the ceremony with an inspirational address that focused on CAT graduates who have created a real and lasting impact in the world.
“Studying for a postgraduate degree with CAT is unlike any other experience of higher education. What you learn at CAT – from lecturers, guest lecturers, the wider CAT team, from graduates, from each other, and from the experience as a whole – can be genuinely life changing. The courses are designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, understanding and networks to become part of the transformational change that we so urgently need.
As you graduate today, you join a long line of people who are making a tangible difference in helping to create a safer, fairer, healthier future for all.”
Patrick Hannay, Editor of Touchstone, the Journal for Architecture in Wales, joined us a guest speaker, congratulating graduates on their individual achievements and reminding them to band together collectively because only when we work together can we create the scale of impact needed to roll out solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis and face the challenges ahead.
With graduates from all of our postgraduate courses in attendance, some have already begun to do this, from retrofit consultancy and renewable energy to conservation projects and PhDs based on dissertation research, with others building on existing careers or making plans for what they’ll do next.
Geraldine Ferguson studied CAT’s MSc in Sustainability and Ecology and is now employed by the National Trust as a Land, Outdoors and Nature Participation Officer based in Brecon and Gower. The role directly links to her dissertation research on conservation and cattle grazing through the ‘Coast to Commons’ project which looks at cattle-grazing to manage ecosystems in six different sites across Wales.
Ceri Fielding graduated with an MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation Planning with his dissertation focusing on sustainable insulation and retrofit of traditional buildings, and the potential for the manufacture of wood fibre insulation in Wales. His research has led him to be in high demand providing consultancy on sustainable building and retrofit policies to organizations and government agencies in Wales.
Rosie Murphy is a graduate of CAT’s MArch Sustainable Architecture course and now works for Matt+Fiona, a social enterprise that believes everyone should have the right to shape their built environment. She is also part of the Architect’s Climate Action Network (ACAN) steering group and is their Coordinator for the Education Thematic Group.
Gid Cox set up a renewable energy installation company shortly after finishing his MSc in Sustainability in Energy Provision and Demand Management at CAT. Their company specialises in solar thermal, PV and heat pump installation and are hoping to develop a consultancy guiding people to renewable energy, insulation and storage.
Celebration of achievements
Some of the graduates in attendance were also given prizes on the day including those Achieving High Marks Overall on their courses and those with Outstanding Dissertation Submissions. These dissertations will also be submitted to the National Library of Wales archive.
The ceremony was followed by a buffet and evening entertainment at CAT, allowing the graduates to celebrate their achievements with families and friends.
Keep in touch!
As Eileen Kinsman said during the ceremony “During your studies you’ve become an integral part of the CAT family. As you graduate today, you’re not leaving CAT – you continue to be part of an incredible network of passionate, dedicated, knowledgeable people who are absolutely determined to work together to build a better world.”
Big congratulations to all of our graduating students – we can’t wait to see what you do next!
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE ENVIRONMENT
ACT NOW FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
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