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First graduating cohort for Global Humanitarian Studies BSc at UCL

11 September 2024

Congratulations to our first undergraduate cohort of 50 students, many of whom are now progressing to employment and further studies.

RDR academics and graduates at the ceremony

The Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction celebrated the milestone graduation of the first cohort of Global Humanitarian Studies BSc students on 2 September 2024.

The multidisciplinary programme commenced in September 2021 with the aim of training future generations of humanitarian leaders to anticipate evolving and emerging humanitarian threats and manage widening vulnerability and crisis response.

In addition to teaching and learning, undergraduate students have access to a dedicated careers team focused on connecting them with research and industry partners for internship opportunities. Students also take part in the department’s events where they meet recruiters and professionals in the field.

Commenting on the momentous graduation ceremony, Head of Department Professor Joanna Faure Walker, said:

"Congratulations to the class of 2024 and our first undergraduate cohort! This milestone marks the culmination of three years of your hard work and dedication and your contributions to the department’s academic and extracurricular activities. You have all formed a special part of the department’s history, and I am confident that you will go on to become influential humanitarian leaders, making a lasting impact in the world.”

A message from course rep, Harry Hudson

I find it hard to describe exactly the emotions I had on graduation day, the well-deserved and beautiful ending of our degree. A celebration of all of our hard work and commitment. However, I found myself teary in the opening minutes of the ceremony, as unfortunately, it is the end of our journeys at UCL, and for some of us, it will be the end of our academic journeys entirely (although you never really stop learning, do you?).

As course rep, or simply as a member of the inaugural class of BSc Global Humanitarian Studies, I felt incredibly honoured to be on that stage and walk across it with my fellow classmates. At the end of the ceremony, the Vice Provost commented on how loud the 'Risk' people were and that to me was better than any piece of paper. I was proud to be on that stage, cheering as loud as I could for those graduating before me, and those after me, because it truly was a team effort.

Overall, the ceremony was wonderful and the Royal Festival Hall was an amazing venue to graduate in. I hope the next set of RDR Bsc graduates have as memorable of a time as we did, and I look forward to seeing the LinkedIn posts next year.

We wish our undergraduate alumni the best in their future endeavours as they put their skills and knowledge to work for the greater good.

More information

Image: RDR academics and graduates at the ceremony

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