The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) held its inaugural graduation ceremony on May 10, 2023. This event hosted at Hereford Cathedral was a historic moment for the institution itself, which opened its door to learning in 2021. The ceremony commenced at 14:00 BST and attracted nearly 400 attendees, including faculty, family members, and community supporters celebrating the achievements of the first cohort of students.
The creation of NMITE was an immediate response to the UK’s growing shortage of engineers. It provides an exceptional educational experience tailored to equip graduates with the skills needed in today’s ever-changing workforce. To that end, the institution fully embraces a hands-on, real-world approach to learning. Moving away from traditional lecture and exam structures, it emphasizes hands-on learning that builds real-world problem solving acumen. This new approach has already produced exciting early outcomes. Applications to NMITE were up 77% year on year!
James Newby, president and CEO of NMITE, said this accord is indicative of the pride and achievement radiating from the institution. The graduation ceremony served as an important reminder of NMITE’s commitment to serving and supporting the Herefordshire region while equipping students for successful engineering careers.
Among that first cohort was Mahmoud Awad, a 24-year-old from Sierra Leone who went on to receive his MA in Integrated Engineering. Awad shared his journey during the ceremony, reflecting on his experiences and newfound opportunities.
“At one point in my life I was hopeless that I would ever become an engineer, and all of a sudden here I am.” – Mahmoud Awad
Awad has recently gained a place at construction giant Balfour Beatty, showing the fledgling success of NMITE’s pioneering educational model. He underlined the preparedness of NMITE graduates to meet the most pressing engineering challenges.
“By the end of your time at NMITE, you will have all the knowledge you need to solve a real engineering problem.” – Mahmoud Awad
The ceremony had the distinct honor of presenting graduation certificates to 25 students, each student representing an important milestone on their educational journey. NMITE’s distinct learning style has proven successful for its graduates and highlights the institution’s mission to cultivate skilled engineers who can contribute effectively to the industry.
