The College’s annual Diploma Presentation Ceremony, held on Tuesday 5 February 2008 was once again a great success. Over 800 people attended the ceremony, held for the second time at London’s Central Hall Westminster, a prestigious and historic venue that has witnessed many important historic occasions: the suffragettes met there in 1916; General de Gaulle founded the free French movement there in the early 1940s and it was the site of the inaugural meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1946. Newly qualified Members of the College, those being awarded Life and Honorary Fellowships and Memberships, Research Scholars and a record number of recipients of higher qualifications celebrated their success, together with their friends and family, at one of the highlights of the College calendar.
In his opening speech, College President, Kevin Lewis congratulated new Members on entering the profession, reminding them that “today marks only the end of the beginning as far as developing your optometric knowledge and skills are concerned. Life-long learning is a critical aspect of a career in optometry”.
The President went on to congratulate the 21 College Members who received their Higher Diplomas in Therapeutics, Supplementary Prescribing and Additional Supply; Glaucoma and Contact Lens Practice. Following her success in four of the College’s higher qualification certificates Alison Weston was awarded Fellowship of the College by Examination.
Reflecting on the introduction of therapeutic prescribing for optometrists Kevin Lewis encouraging all diplomates to “grasp this opportunity with both hands”, going on to comment that “Allowing optometrists to prescribe independently both complements our existing diagnostic skills and enables us to develop further our role in managing eye disease. This is good news for the profession and great news for our patients...”
The College plays a key role in funding optometric research and during the ceremony postgraduate scholars Dr Gurjeet Rai and Dr Carmen Gonazalez-Alvarez were recognised for sucessful completion of their PhDs.
The College awarded Life and Honorary Fellowships and Membership of the College in recognition of significant contribution to the College, profession and wider world of optics:
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Frank Munro was elected to Life Fellowship in recognition of the outstanding contribution he has made in steering the College and its Council through a critical period of restructuring and for his exceptional work for optometry in Scotland.
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Michael Bateman was elected to Life Fellowship in recognition of his chartitable work and the contribution he has made to lobbying Government on behalf of the profession.
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Professor Michel Millodot was elected to Life Fellowship of the College in recognition of the outstanding contribution he has made optometric research in the UK.
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Professor Debbie Sweeney was elected to Honorary Fellowship in recognition of the contribution she has made to research and development, in particular relating to contact lenses and silicone hydrogel materials.
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Helen Stanforth was elected to Honorary Membership of the College of Optometrists in recognition of the distinguished service shehas provided to the College since 1990.
Responding on behalf of the new Life and Honorary Fellows and Members, Frank Munro gave an inspirational speech, urging new College Members to enjoy their work, “be all you can be…be happy…be proud of what you have achieved”.