More than 2400 University of Canberra students have closed their books for the last time and will this week don academic robes for graduation ceremonies at Parliament House.
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On Tuesday, graduates of the faculty of business, government & law and the faculty of health were recognised at the first of eight ceremonies in the Great Hall.
Former chief of the Australian Army Professor Peter Leahy and vice-chancellor Professor Stephen Parker offered commencement addresses during the ceremonies.
Graduating with honours in a Bachelor of Philosophy, the university recognised Xavier Galarza who was injured in a car accident before the start of second semester last year.
Mr Galarza spent 36 days in hospital with a fractured hip, unable to work on his 20,000-word thesis on Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces.
''I didn't realise how important my hip was until this accident happened,'' he said. ''It was surreal to be finally graduating but it feels great. I never thought I would go through such a difficult year.''
After losing his laptop in the crash, the 24-year-old returned to classes in week three, walking with crutches while also tutoring undergraduate students. Mr Galarza has now started a PhD on Latin American regionalism and the role of small nations, and plans to travel to Ecuador for field work after receiving an Australian Postgraduate Award.
"I made the decision in hospital that I was going to finish my honours that year,'' he said. ''It took a lot out of me, but I had two high distinctions, I had good contact hours with my supervisor so I set myself deadlines and just did what I had to do."
Mr Galarza thanked his thesis supervisor Dr Anthea McCarthy-Jones as well as his family and friends for their support. "I couldn't say thank you enough, the one-on-one time that you are given here, it enriches your university experience and pushes you to do your best."
Mr Galarza said students should choose the subjects they love and commit themselves to hard work.
The University of Canberra will use ceremonies on Wednesday to present honorary doctorates to former ACT chief minister and beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell and civil engineer Bruce Sinclair.
Ms Carnell said she was honoured to be receiving an an honorary doctorate. "As chief minister, I was pleased to be able to facilitate the passing of the legislation that made the university an ACT-owned entity in 1997," she said.