Students graduate from Toi Ohomai

Bachelor of Creative Industries graduate Leah Jackson. Photo: Ryan Wood.

For some students at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, this week marked the apex of their academic journey with graduation ceremonies taking place in the city.

More than 6000 students who studied with the institute in 2017 are expected to be awarded a qualification, with 2450 receiving theirs in this latest round of graduations.

The ceremonies were held at Holy Trinity Church over three days, with students from different faculties graduating together at different times.

Students from all faculties also took part in the annual parade from Red Square along Devonport Road.

Among them was Leah Jackson, a graduating Bachelor of Creative Industries student, majoring in graphic design.

As well as studying, Leah also runs her own Kiwi-inspired giftware business, Daffy & Yarn. A particular highlight for her this year has been mixing her business with her studies.

'It was awesome to spend half a year branding my own business, and then launching it the following semester,” she says. 'I could actually see the results of my work.”

She says the course is structured so that students take more classes in their first two years, before becoming more self-directed in their final year.

'We all had studios on campus to work from. And the tutors were amazing – they're easy to talk to, and offer different perspectives.”

For Leah, other benefits of studying include meeting and collaborating with new creatives, and gaining reassurance in her abilities.

'Initially I had my doubts as to whether I was creative enough to do the course,” she says. 'But you do gain confidence.”

Toi Ohomai council chair Cathy Cooney, who took part in the parade, says she is always very proud of the graduating students.

'They've all worked very hard to get this far, supported by family, friends, and tutors – there's a whole lot of people behind the scenes.”

She says Toi Ohomai has been going from strength to strength for the past 18 months, with around 14,000 students and 1000 staff across five main campuses and 68 smaller sites in the North Island.

'We're the third biggest institute of technology in the country now. We're very proud of our name and the successful story we're building.”

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