On Friday 30 April 29 students graduated in 4 differing qualifications including the Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese medicine) – 4-year degree; the Bachelor of Health Science (acupuncture) – 3-year degree; the Diploma in Tuina – level 7 and the NZ Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage – level 5.
29 very happy graduates and approximately 50 family members attended along with staff and the Chair of the NZ College of Chinese Medicine Council.
Graduations are a day to remember for life – they acknowledge the hours and for many years of hard work and the achievement of academic goals as well as knowledge and the competency to practise TCM or massage in the industry.
This year’s graduation covered 4 qualifications and as such the broadest range of qualifications the College has seen represented at one graduation ceremony. This reflects the growing expansion of the College in delivering a diversity of natural health related qualifications. In this regard the College is going from strength to strength as a leading provider natural health sector professional training and qualifications.
Speaking on behalf of all graduates Emma Shen congratulated everyone for their achievements and for “being here today”. “Back in our first day of school, we didn’t know what the next few years would be like – we didn’t know a worldwide virus would, allow us study while lying on sofa, we didn’t know that there will be a lot of wonderful teachers willing to teach us all their knowledge of Chinese medicine.”
“After three years of studying hard, now it’s the time to pursue our passions.”
Chair of the College Council Dr John Sinclair noted that” today may mark the end of your studies however, it marks the beginning of a professional career in which lifelong learning is very important. If the government confirms its intention to regulate Chinese medicine, then continuing education will likely be a requirement for practitioners to retain a practicing certificate. But it is important nevertheless to keep your skills sharp and look for new areas to take your training. The next 30 years or so will no doubt bring many changes and many opportunities, and it may be that the future for Chinese medicine in New Zealand is beyond our current imagination. It will be practitioners such as you who become the visionaries who can join this ancient tradition of wisdom with new social, scientific, and commercial opportunities.”
For staff it was a very warm and satisfying day watching students celebrate their achievements and seeing first-hand the results of their own efforts to enable students to achieve their best outcomes. For graduates it is both a celebration but also full of excitement and anticipation as they step forward into a future in either a massage therapy or acupuncture and/or herbal practise career and the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve
