Dr Ebenezer Veerasingam, from Sri Lanka, is graduating today with a PhD, having completed his research during a global pandemic while navigating personal loss, economic upheaval and the challenges of studying far from home.

Sophie Crumlin is graduating today with a degree in Law with Politics from Queen’s, having used her time at university to advocate for underrepresented students, support widening participation initiatives and champion equal access to legal careers.

Abby Conroy, Hannah Kunnath and Maleeha Silveira are graduating today with Law degrees, having balanced their studies with pro bono legal research for a national social care charity supporting vulnerable people.

Jamie-Lee Beggs, from Bangor, is graduating today with a degree in Social Policy with Quantitative Methods from Queen’s, having balanced her studies with being a full-time carer to her daughter Freya, who has autism and learning disabilities.

Nelisiwe Shabalala, from Johannesburg, is graduating today with a degree in Sociology, having balanced the demands of university life with motherhood and caring responsibilities as a mature international student.

Dr Steph Craig is graduating today with a PhD, having progressed from undergraduate to lecturer while co-leading a groundbreaking initiative to embed domestic abuse training in the nursing curriculum.

Blessing Chukwuka, from Nigeria, is graduating with a PhD in Business and Management from Queen’s Business School today. Blessing’s PhD focuses on how workplaces can better support working mothers.

Aung Khant Kyaw is graduating today with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast.

Abhiram Padavala, from India, is graduating with a Master’s in Construction and Project Management with Industrial Internship, becoming the first person in his family to earn a university degree.

Abi Way from St Alban’s is graduating today with a degree in Product Design Engineering, succeeding in a highly visual course despite facing challenges from a visual impairment.

Elia Tutty from Co. Waterford is graduating today with a degree in Pharmacy, having balanced elite-level cycling with her studies and led Queen’s first-ever women’s cycling team to national victory.

Dr Piangfan Naksukpaiboon, from Thailand, is graduating today with a PhD in medicine, with a journey to date which spans four countries and has been breaking new ground for disabled students.

Mhairi Cowan is graduating today with a degree in Medicine from Queen’s, having championed planetary health throughout her studies by helping to embed climate-conscious thinking into medical education and advocating for sustainability in healthcare.

Jenna McCarlie is graduating today with a degree in Dentistry, having balanced her studies with captaining Queen’s hockey team to their most successful season and representing Ireland internationally.

Millie Nunn is graduating today with a degree in Food Science and Nutrition, having begun her studies just days after losing her mum and persevered through grief to reach this milestone.

Queen’s University is recognising a number of high-profile honorary graduates this summer for their outstanding contributions to the arts, science, medicine, public service, business, journalism and the global community.

She Yen Yew is graduating today with a degree in Psychology from Queen’s University Belfast, having moved 10,000km from her home in Malaysia, overcoming homesickness, cultural differences, and mental health challenges to complete her degree.