Graduations, prizes and celebrations

Ready for an exciting career ahead

ABDO celebrated the graduation of dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 24 November.

The annual ceremony, which took place after a year in abeyance due to the pandemic, 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, Jo Holmes, and Ian Davies, Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, both addressed the graduands and their families and supporters who were in attendance.

Jo said: “What a special day this year’s graduation was in Canterbury Cathedral. The graduands have shown their tenacity and flexibility within their workplace environments. Continuing to study during a pandemic must have been very tricky indeed. I was delighted and honoured to meet so many with their proud families and share their day with them. This day will be one I shall never forget.

“Every single person who graduated was enthusiastic and ready to take their FBDO qualification to the next level, be it training for contact lenses for enhanced services within their practices, becoming practice managers, and being the best DO they can,” Jo added.

A further ceremony will take place in April 2022.

The January 2022 issue of Dispensing Optics will include a full report on the ceremony.