Summer graduation ceremonies conclude in style

Summer graduation ceremonies conclude in style

Thu, Jul 4 2024 Abi Daré and Zara Mohammed

As Glasgow Caledonian University's summer graduation ceremonies concluded at the city's Royal Concert Hall, two inspiring individuals received honorary degrees.

Muslim Council leader Zara Mohammed received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, and author Abi Daré received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters alongside 1,417 graduands.

As the first woman to lead the Muslim Council of Britain, Zara, aged 29, is the youngest person to hold the Secretary-General role. A Strathclyde University graduate, she is passionate about creating an inclusive and representative Muslim Council and empowering young people and women in her community.

She told the Class of 2024: "This is a proud moment, but what are proud moments made from? They are made from a lot of pain and a lot of hard work. They are made of a lot of moments where you aren't even sure if you're going to make it.

"It is this moment now, though, that will give you the confidence to achieve even greater things.

"All of us are counting on good people to provide good leadership - on people like us to raise the bar as to what is possible. I invite you all to remind the world that diversity is an amazing thing, but also to rise above adversity, do your best and smash it out of the park."

A Glasgow Caledonian University alumna, Abi Daré is a New York Times bestselling author whose debut novel, The Girl with the Louding Voice, explores gender, poverty, and barriers to education for Nigerian women.

She has also created a foundation in Nigeria offering scholarships to support young girls in rural areas.

Reflecting on her time as a student, Abi said: "Within a few months of arriving, I fell in love with the warm embrace of Glasgow Caledonian University.

"My time here modelled my path in ways that I had never expected and gave me the guts to chase dreams."

Abi, whose follow-up novel And So I Roar is released next month, also told graduates: "Don't just seek to be heard, seek to make a difference. Advocate for those who cannot, inspire change.

"Create a legacy that will endure long after you've gone. And, above all, enjoy every moment of it."

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