14 November 2024
Fife College has been shortlisted for the Championing Diversity & Inclusion Award at the Scottish Public Service Awards. This national recognition celebrates the College’s pioneering relaxed graduation ceremony, which offers an inclusive celebration for students to mark their academic achievements.
The first college in Scotland to offer such an option, the relaxed format was introduced by the College last year to support students with additional support needs, autism, social anxiety, or sensory processing difficulties.
The second annual relaxed graduation ceremony took place this week (12 November) at the College’s Kirkcaldy Campus. The event saw students attend alongside close family and friends in an informal setting tailored to their needs and comfort levels.
The event was carefully planned to be welcoming and flexible, with attendees encouraged to participate at their own pace. By keeping guests limited, the College ensured that graduates and their loved ones could enjoy a calm and meaningful celebration in a pressure-free atmosphere.
The College’s offer of a relaxed graduation underscores its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all.
AJ Dale, an HNC Business graduate, shared his positive experience of attending this year’s ceremony. AJ, from Cupar, said:
“I have been a student for a few years and worked my way up to HNC. I’ve seen a few of the graduation ceremonies on the big screen and always admired them, but the thought of attending one myself was very daunting and anxiety-provoking due to the large number of people and the loud environment. When I found out about the option of a relaxed graduation, I couldn’t wait to attend!
“I was very nervous, but with support from the staff and such a calm and relaxing environment, my nerves were put at ease. It was great being able to speak to the Principal, Jim – we talked about how I gained so many skills while studying and how overjoyed I was to have graduated.
“I would recommend the relaxed graduation to anyone who struggles in busy environments but would still like to enjoy the graduation experience.”
Jim Metcalfe, Fife College Principal, said:
“Being shortlisted for the Championing Diversity & Inclusion Award at the Scottish Public Service Awards reflects our commitment to supporting all of our students and ensuring they can celebrate their achievements in a way that feels comfortable to them. We’re proud to be a trailblazer in how we support and celebrate our students’ achievements.
“Fife is the first college in Scotland to offer a relaxed graduation ceremony, allowing our students to mark this significant milestone in a truly inclusive environment. Relaxed graduation has quickly become one of the best night’s in our College year, as we can spend time one-to-one with our amazing graduates and their families celebrating their college experiences.”
This year’s relaxed graduation ceremony followed the College’s other, action-packed graduation ceremonies. Over 400 students graduated in four events over two days last week, the first day at The Abbey in Dunfermline (5 November) and then at St Bryce Kirk in Kirkcaldy later in the week (7 November).
2024 marks 125 years since the founding of the first college in Fife. The College traces its roots to 10 October 1899, when Lauder Technical School opened its doors, thanks to George Lauder's vision and the generous financial backing of his nephew, the renowned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Since then, the College has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of learning and innovation in the Fife region.
The winners of the Scottish Public Service Awards, organised by Holyrood Events, will be announced during a ceremony at the Scottish Parliament next month (10 December), where Fife College’s efforts to champion diversity and inclusion will be recognised alongside other outstanding public service initiatives across Scotland.