I am delighted to see you all here today in London to celebrate your award, which is the culmination of years of hard work.   

Achieving a degree of such distinction can be a long and difficult journey. You should all be proud, as indeed we are, that you have reached your graduation with support from your family, friends and academics, all of whom share in your success today. 

You have all shown remarkable perseverance and determination, balancing the demands of your world-class degrees against other commitments. The University of London is fortunate to have enabled and endorsed such resilient, hard-working and passionate individuals as yourselves. It does take real passion to pursue a degree, whether in person or remotely.   

I am confident that these unique qualities, which have served you so well during your studies, will stay with you in the next stages of your lives, whatever challenges you choose to take on. 

We are thrilled to be able to welcome YOU, our graduates, your families and distinguished guests here to London. Today is a day to celebrate your achievements and I hope you will take time to savour this important moment. 

On behalf of everyone at the University of London, and the global network of Recognised Teaching Centres with whom we work, I wish you every success for the future. 

Professor Mary Stiasny OBE 
Pro Vice-Chancellor International, Learning and Teaching