Sedem Kumatse: Success rewarded at ceremony

Australia -- IT was the culmination of several years hard work yesterday afternoon for more than 220 students who graduated from La Trobe Universitys Albury-Wodonga campus. Resplendent in caps and gowns, the graduands joined family and friends at Wodonga Catholic Colleges McAuley Arts Centre for the ceremony which was opened by deputy chancellor, Mrs Sylvia Walton.

Students graduated from 50 different courses offered by eight separate schools within the five faculties represented on the campus.

The occasional address was delivered by chairman of the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre and director of the Melbourne Water Research Centre Prof John Langford.

Among the graduates yesterday were seven masters degree recipients and three doctors of philosophy.

Electronic commerce graduate Mr Sedem Kumatse, of Ghana, in West Africa, has been studying for a Bachelor of Electronic Commerce at the university for the past three years.

Mr Kumatse said he had continued his studies in Australia after his father had taken up a job in the country.

He is now working in marketing research in Melbourne and hopes to complete a masters degree in diplomacy and trade, with the goal of working with the United Nations, representing either Ghana or Australia.

“This has been a nice place to study,” he said.

“Its quiet, peaceful and the |lecturers have had time to help us.”

A spokesman for the university, Mr Reinhard Beissbarth, said the electronic commerce degree was one of several local products, having been developed in Albury-Wodonga and taking students from within and outside the region.

Social work graduate Ms Julie Willis was yesterday celebrating the end of an intensive four-year period of study.

Ms Willis, a single mother to two young children, said full-time study was often hell.

“Its full on,” she said.

“Its a big responsibility you are challenged with right throughout the time you are studying for your degree.

“For me it was about studying while trying to juggle caring for my children and working part-time.”

Ms Willis, who has been a masseuse for more than 10 years, said choosing to study social work was an easy decision for someone with ongoing contact with the public.

“If you ask my mum, Ive always been one,” she said.