I met with the Managing Director of University Marketing (UK) on
Thursday last. They claim to have identified a 'gap in the graduation
day ceremony', and they are currently touring Universities throughout
the country touting their product. Apparently, although not at
Teesside, graduands at the majority of awards ceremonies only receive
a scroll confirming their attendance at the ceremony and/or a
handshake from the Vice-Chancellor. This company are promoting a
"prestigious medal and presentation wallet which can be presented at
the ceremony to all graduating students". They state that it is
expected that "during the next two years all universities of the UK
will adopt this ceremonial enhancement making it eventually as much
an integral part of the ceremony as the cap and gown!".
Anyway, let's cut to the chase...........the company would sell these
to universities at stlg16.50 each and suggest that they retail to
students at stlg25.00 each. The company has, they say, met with
Government officials, who support the scheme. A follow up letter I
received from the company today states "....it is the intention to
make the Graduation Medal Presentation Pack...compulsory."!!! Their
market research report details strong support for the idea from
current undergraduates at Newcastle, Sunderland, Leeds, Nottingham,
Central Lancs and Lincs & Humberside.
Has anyone else met with these people or have a view on their
product? My personal reaction is that it's an irrelevant, overpriced
piece of tat - but then I could be wrong!
Rob Sherville
Assistant Registrar (Student Experience)
University of Teesside
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