40 fabulous years and 200,000 student success stories a very special Christmas celebration at Deakin University

Deakin University's 40^th anniversary year celebrations will mark another significant milestone in Geelong today – the graduation of its 200,000^th student.

Almost 40 years to the day after Deakin was established, Gloria Nyanja, 27 and from Kenya, will be joined by family when she dons gown and mortar board with 330 other newly qualified graduates at a sparkling graduation ceremony in Costa Hall at Deakin's Waterfront Campus.

Colour, pomp and ceremony will be the highlight of the day as graduates walk the red carpet and enjoy music and celebration in a special marquee following the graduation function and formalities.

Eighty academics will process to welcome new graduates to their chosen professions. Among them will be 100 new doctors and over 200 international students ready to take their place in the workforce around the world.

Deakin's 200,000^th graduate, Ms Nyanja, will receive her Master of Public Health before she embarks on a final year of study after six years in Australia as a student at Deakin's Burwood Campus.     

In a fitting culmination to the University's 40^th anniversary celebrations, graduates, their guests and visitors from Deakin's partner organisations will view feature footage taken over four decades to be screened as part of the noon ceremony.

Deakin was established through an Act of Parliament (the Deakin University Act) on 10 December 1974. Since then, it has been shaped by the twin goals enshrined in that Act – a focus on regional Victoria, creating a university for the Geelong region; and a commitment to widening access to university study.

Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander will signify Ms Nyanja's place as the 200,000^th graduate during the ceremony and has congratulated all of Deakin's successful scholars.

"We are proud to celebrate four decades of educational excellence and we are delighted to note that Deakin staff have helped 200,000 people realise their academic dreams of gaining a degree in higher education,'' Professor den Hollander said.

"Deakin has grown from infancy as Victoria's first regional university built on bare paddocks at Waurn Ponds to Australia's eighth largest University, with over 50,000 students, four campuses and almost 7,500 international students from 127 countries.

"For four consecutive years, we have achieved the highest level of overall student satisfaction amongst Victorian universities.

"We are proud of Gloria, her fellow graduates and all of the Deakin students who have been part of our University community over the past 40 years. I wish them good fortune in their lives and careers, as we look forward to another wonderful 40 years contributing to the communities we serve."