THIS time of year is one of traditions - last week was Hallowe'en with the celebration of the good and evil spirits and this week we celebrate Bonfire Night, marked by fireworks displays across the county.

Last week we also had one of our annual traditions at NEWI. Our yearly celebration of graduating students took place last Thursday and Friday, marking their student success and entering them into the guild of the University of Wales.

The two days were very successful and even the weather was fine. The four ceremonies featured students young and old, local and international, and from subjects from every discipline taught at NEWI.

But as you know from my previous columns we are not a traditional university and we are proud of our record of giving people the opportunity to reach their potential. From the diverse range of students who attended these celebrations it is easy to see that our success in this aim was as apparent as their graduate success.

Just one example of someone who has overcome adversities to reach her potential is Iris Gruve, from St Asaph, who graduated with a degree in Ceramics. She started the degree in her 70s at NEWI after having to leave school at 14 and start work due to the war.

Not only that, but she faced another difficult situation when during her degree she was struggling to see properly and had to have an operation to remove her cataracts.

But with the help and support offered to her at NEWI she has been able to achieve her dream at long last.

This is just one example of NEWI's achievement in not bowing to tradition but opening up education to all. I wish all of our graduates the success they deserve for future.