Global graduations showcase University’s worldwide reach

Reading’s global presence was on show this month as University of Reading graduates celebrated receiving their degrees, more than 7,000 miles apart. 

In the UK, University of Reading students attended graduation ceremonies in chilly conditions in Berkshire on Thursday, 8 December and Friday, 9 December. 

Almost 1,700 students graduated at the University’s historic Great Hall, part of the London Road campus, in a ceremony mostly centred on those completing postgraduate qualifications, master’s degrees, and doctorates, along with some undergraduates.

The University’s global reach does not just come from its international reputation – ranked by the THE World University Rankings in the top 200 in the world – or from the more than 140 nationalities of its students and alumni. It also has campuses on three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia.

Henley Business School, Africa

The University’s Henley Business School Africa celebrated its largest graduation in its 30-year history at its campus in sunny Sandton, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

University Vice-Chancellor Robert Van de Noort presided over the institution’s first in-person graduation in three years, with 2,500 students receiving their degrees. Henley Business School Africa is the only international business school that is also accredited in South Africa.

University of Reading Malaysia

In Asia, the University of Reading Malaysia’s most recent graduation ceremony was held at the institution’s campus in Iskandar, Johor Bahru, in August. 

The Malaysia campus opened in 2015 and its first group of students graduated in 2017. The modern, purpose-built campus provides space to teach students in a range of subjects, including business, real estate, quantity surveying, law and psychology. All programmes offered at UoRM are accredited both in the UK and Malaysia, allowing students in Iskandar to receive world-class education in an international environment. 

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “Reading has been a truly international institution since we were founded. In today’s changing world, it is more important than ever for institutions and individuals to act locally but with a positive global vision.

“I was honoured to attend graduation in South Africa and met many colleagues, students and other stakeholders, including BrightSpark Foundation SA, a charitable organisation that supports children through education and has benefitted much from Henley’s support.  In all these discussions, the mission of Henley Business School Africa is clear: to build the people to build the business that build Africa.”