11 February 2021
More than 1600 graduates – whose celebrations were put on ice last year due to the pandemic – will finally be able to commemorate their achievements as the University of South Australia’s 2021 graduations begin.
From 11 to 18 February, 15 ceremonies will take place in Pridham Hall at UniSA’s City West campus, giving graduates the chance to don a cap and gown and celebrate with their loved ones.
One of those graduates will be Dr Hayley Schultz, who submitted her PhD on innovative drug delivery to improve the treatment of prostate cancer, more than a year ago.
Now working at UniSA’s Quality Use of Medicines Pharmacy Research Centre, Dr Schultz says she put off graduating in 2020 as she wanted to get the full graduation experience.
“I started at UniSA in 2012 and went on to do my honours and PhD here,” she says.
“I never planned to become a researcher – as a kid I thought I might be a chef or event planner. By high school though, I had decided on some sort of career in science as I wanted a job that challenged me and helped others at the same time.
“After eight years, I wanted to finish my time as a UniSA student with a proper graduation ceremony. I have my parents and fiancé coming along, and my research team from my PhD studies will meet me afterwards to continue the celebrations.”
Dr Schultz’s current research focuses on using pharmacological principles to inform the optimal use of medications.
Dr Schultz and her PhD supervisor Professor Clive Prestidge secured a Hospital Foundation Research grant earlier this month to progress pre-clinical studies on a revolutionary formulation of the drug Zytiga. The aim of the grant is undercover the best formulation of the drug to provide prostate cancer patients with the most efficient and effective treatment.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says that while the graduates already had their degrees formally conferred last year, graduation ceremonies are an important opportunity to mark one of life’s most significant milestones.
“Graduation is about so much more than the piece of paper you receive at the end of your degree; it’s the chance to reflect on the journey so far, the connections you’ve made, and the direction you want to go,” he says.
“This is the largest group of graduates we’ve been able to host since the pandemic began. We are thankful that here in South Australia we are able to honour the achievements of our graduates – in an appropriately socially distanced manner – and give them that moment to cross the stage and celebrate all of their accomplishments.”
Media contact: Rosanna Galvin T: +61 8 8302 0578 M: +61 434 603 457 E: rosanna.galvin@unisa.edu.au
