A star student from the Caribbean has been awarded her fourth degree.
And Shelly-Ann Julien has loved the Edinburgh Napier experience so much she has got married, settled in the city and abandoned plans to return home.
Shelly-Ann, 31, was awarded her PhD in Economics (International Trade and Development) at the Usher Hall. No stranger to graduation ceremonies, she already holds a BSc in Economics and Management Studies, an MSc in Economics and an MSc in Maritime Economics and Logistics.
She said: “I came to Edinburgh to pursue my PhD with every intention of returning to the Caribbean when I was finished. However, during my studies I met and married my husband Nathan Brown and settled down in the city.
“I began my PhD as Ms. and graduated as Mrs Dr. Shelly-Ann Julien Brown. I was also granted the opportunity to attend international conferences in countries as far away as Malaysia, Japan and China, opportunities I would not have had otherwise.
“I am super grateful and honoured to graduate from Edinburgh Napier University.”
Shelly-Ann’s parents, sister and two nieces travelled from Trinidad to share her big day, and she has now set her sights on a career as an economist.
Meanwhile, Clare Taylor has marked her 56th birthday by graduating from Edinburgh Napier with a Masters in Advanced Security and Digital Forensics.
Clare, who is dyslexic, studied via the distance learning option and achieved a distinction.
She made the long haul to the Usher Hall ceremony from her home in Strood, Kent, with her proud husband Kev, 57, and daughters Kerri, 26, and Hannah, 24.
Clare, who was 56 on Monday(25th), said: “I am keen to show that age is not a barrier to achieving.
“Gaining this Masters has enabled me to move back into permanent employment as an IT Consultant (Software Development) with an NHS Mental Health Trust.
“It is a role I am thoroughly enjoying, and I am able to put my Masters to use by making sure applications that the Trust develops have a security ethos from inception and design.”