A celebration of firsts at UQ's mid-year graduations

The first of The University of Queensland's (UQ) seven mid-year graduation ceremonies kick off in Ipswich tomorrow (18 July) with two cohorts of students graduating from new degrees.

Among those graduating tomorrow are the first graduates of a Masters of Nursing Studies (Graduate Entry) degree and the new dual degree, Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery.

As UQ’s first-ever graduate from the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery degree, Melissa Juttner, will swap the maternity ward for centre stage when she makes a delivery of a different kind.

The 21-year-old Robina resident has been awarded the prestigious honour of delivering the valedictorian speech at UQ’s Ipswich graduation ceremony, where she will address fellow graduates, family and friends.

Excited to be the amongst the first cohort of students graduating from the UQ Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor or Midwifery degree, Ms Juttner was drawn to the midwifery profession due to a personal interest in women’s health.

“I think I always knew I wanted to work with women and children,” Ms Juttner said.

“I originally started a degree in Biomedical Science and realised that wasn’t for me. I thought about studying midwifery and then I found the dual degree at UQ.”

“Working with women through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period has been a wonderful experience, it is a really special time in a women’s life, and I feel privileged to play a role.

“I hope to use the skills and knowledge I’ve learned and work in maternity and child health clinics in developing countries. I plan to travel to Africa next year to work in orphanages and clinics there.”

Head of UQ's School of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Catherine Turner, congratulated Ms Juttner and her fellow graduates on their success.

“It is an outstanding achievement to be selected as valedictorian and Melissa is a shining example of the intelligence and skill of our future nurses and midwives,” Professor Turner said.

“UQ is proud to deliver another 29 nurses and 48 midwives into the Australian health system this semester, and our first cohort of dual degree Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery and Master of Nursing Studies (Graduate Entry) graduates.”

“We wish Melissa every success in her future endeavors” said Professor Turner.

During the course of her study Melissa was the recipient of the Dean's Commendation for High Achievement in semester one 2008, semester one 2009, semester two 2009, and semester one 2010.

Almost 6000 students will graduate from UQ this week. The first ceremony will be held at the Ipswich Civic Centre and the rest of the ceremonies will be held at the UQ Centre, St Lucia.

Details of venues and times for the UQ mid-year graduations are available online.

For further information or interviews with nursing and midwifery graduates, please contact Lya McTaggart (07 3365 5084, lya.mctaggart@uq.edu.au) or Kathy Grube (0418 524 297).

For further information on the Ipswich graduation ceremony, please contact Janardan Kewin (0421 587 278).