“Gold standard” graduation ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral

Graduands enter the cathedral

ABDO celebrated the graduation of 318 dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians last week at Canterbury Cathedral.

The annual ceremony is a time-honoured tradition where graduands approach the dais one by one to be congratulated by the ABDO president. The ceremonial handshake indicates the moment when graduands become graduates and become a full part of the profession of dispensing optics. ABDO president, Clive Marchant, and Huntly Taylor, Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM), both addressed the graduands and their families and supporters who were also in attendance.

Clive said: “I was delighted to receive all who graduated at ABDO’s annual graduation ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral. It’s wonderful to see the consistent high volume of newly qualified dispensing opticians, which further demonstrates the consistent demand for dispensing opticians. Despite the numbers graduating each year, there are areas of the UK which report a severe shortage of DOs.

“It was also a pleasure to receive all who had gained higher qualification in contact lenses, the number of which have increased considerably in recent years. I hope they will not only provide contact lens fitting and aftercare – but progress to the provision of minor eye condition services. It’s also impressive to see many who graduate from overseas, illustrating the demand globally our gold standard FBDO qualification.”

Prizes were awarded as follows:

• Essilor Prize: Awarded to Kirsten Mason for the highest mark in Units 1a and 1b Preliminary Qualifying Examination.
• Stepper Prize: Awarded to Sarah Owen for the highest mark in Unit 2 Preliminary Qualifying Examination. Presented by Peter Reeve, managing director, Stepper.
• Association of Optometrists Prize: Awarded to Adam Robson for the highest mark in section A of the Final Qualifying Practical Examination. Presented by Henrietta Alderman, chief executive, Association of Optometrists.
• Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers Prize: Awarded to Natalie Skulskyj for the highest mark in section B of the Final Qualifying Practical Examination. Presented by Huntly Taylor WCSM Master.
• Millmead Optical Group Prize: Awarded to India Webb for the highest aggregate mark in section C of the Final Qualifying Examination. Presented by James Conway, CEO, Millmead Optical Group.
• Rodenstock Prize: Awarded to Rachael Bailey for the highest mark in section D of the Final Qualifying Practical Examination. Presented by Steve Beaty, ICT programme manager, Rodenstock UK.
• 

  Natalie Skulskyj receives the WCSM Prize form Master, Huntly Taylor

  National Eyecare Group/Optinet Prize: Awarded to Cynthia Zabee for the best Preliminary Qualifying Portfolio. Presented by Phil Mullins, operations director, PK National Eyecare Group.

• FMO Derek McLaren Memorial Prize: Awarded to Adam Robson for the highest UK student mark in the Final Qualifying Examination. Presented by Christine McLaren BSc FCOptom on behalf of The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians.
• MAPO Prize: Awarded to Chang Chai Wei for the highest international student mark in the Final Qualifying Examination. Presented by Edmund Teng, president, Malaysian Association of Practising Opticians.
• British Contact Lens Association Prize: Awarded to Donna Munro for the highest aggregate mark in the Theory Examination, Certificate in Contact Lens Practice.
• Bailey Prize: Awarded to Jay Hughes for the highest mark in the Contact Lens Certificate Qualification.
• Alcon Prize for Excellence: Awarded to Nicholas Page for the best candidate in the Practical Examination, Certificate in Contact Lens Practice.
• Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers Prize: Awarded to Steven Alexander for the highest aggregate mark in sections 2, 3 & 4 of the Practical Examination, Certificate in Contact Lens Practice.
• Contamac Prize: Awarded to Arron Brown as the best student on the contact lens distance learning course. Presented by Jenny Wiegold, HR executive, Contamac.
• Elvin Montlake Prize: Awarded to Kirsty Gibson for the highest combined mark in LVA Theory Examination.

A full report of the 2019 ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony will appear in the January 2020 issue of Dispensing Optics.