After 31 years of offering an alternative pathway to tertiary study, the Foundation Studies Program at Flinders has held its first graduation ceremony.

Recent Flinders Foundation Studies Program (FSP) students and their proud friends, families and partners attended the ceremony in the Sports Centre, which was organised by the Transition Office.

The first such event since the ground-breaking course began in 1983, the graduation was attended by both the 2014 evening FSP students and the day-time Flinders/TAFE SA FSP students. Certificates of completion were presented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Andrew Parkin, who also spoke.

Two former FSP students, Ms Rita Chahoud and Mr Peter Koffi, inspired students, staff and guests alike with their speeches about how the course had changed their lives, giving them the confidence and skills to undertake their “dream” courses at Flinders.

“The honesty and eloquence of these moving tales brought many guests to tears,” said FSP Co-ordinator, Dr Michael X Savvas.

Other speakers included Dr Savvas and Associate Professor Salah Kutieleh, Director of Transition, who spoke of the history behind the course and cited statistics on the strong performance in their subsequent University studies of students who undertook the FSP.

Dr Savvas said the night had a big impact on the students, who expressed their gratitude at being recognised and welcomed officially by the University.

Given its resounding success, the ceremony will become a regular fixture on the academic calendar.

Applications for the Foundation Studies Program are currently open. For information about eligibility, course details and the application process, please go the course home page.