Celebrations in Canterbury Cathedral

More than 200 FBDO diplomas were presented

There were celebrations all round at the 2024 ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral this week.

During a prestigious ceremony held on Wednesday 24 April, ABDO president, Daryl Newsome, presented more than 200 FBDO diplomas, along with more than 50 FBDO CL certificates in contact lens practice and 38 overseas FBDO diplomas.

In addition, a total of 13 prizes were announced – supported by industry sponsors.

Graduands and their families and supporters heard messages of support and congratulations from both the ABDO president and Liz Shilling, Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers – as is tradition.

Commenting after the event, Daryl said: “It was an honour to take part in this year’s graduation – a fantastic event as it always is. The graduates well deserved this celebration of their years of study. It was great to meet some of the family and friends who have supported them, and so important that they could join them in celebrating their success.

“We also welcomed teachers, lecturers, clinic managers and supervisors who joined the celebrations to make the event one that I’m sure every graduate will remember for the rest of their lives.

“On behalf of ABDO, I want to wish each and every graduate well on this, the first step on their professional careers. I would encourage every one of them to be the best dispensing optician they can be and to commit to improving their offering year on year as they maintain their journey into lifelong learning,” Daryl added.

A full report of the event will appear in the June issue of Dispensing Optics.