LIA celebrates first lighting design and technology graduates

The Lighting Industry Association (LIA) has announced the first graduates of its HNC in lighting design and technology.

Matt Dougan, of Osram Opto Semiconductors and Ruth Barker, of Tameside MBC, were presented with their certificates at the 2019 graduation ceremony held at the University of South Wales (USW).

Over the past two years, Matt and Ruth have studied for their HNC, which is taught through the LIA’s partnership with USW. They both agree on how beneficial the HNC has been in both furthering their knowledge and understanding of lighting but also in the development of their careers. They are planning to continue their studies with the LIA’s HND in lighting design and technology.

The rest of the first cohort of students have also passed with excellent grades and have chosen to formally graduate in December.

The HNC and a HND in lighting design and technology are the first formally academically recognised higher education qualifications in lighting within the UK and are delivered between the LIA Academy in Telford and the USW campus in Pontypridd.

Modules delivered at the Academy in Telford are led by the LIA’s team of tutors, who have all gained ‘Recognised Teacher Status’ from USW. Students can enrol to take the courses in either a full-time or part-time capacity.

“I chose to do the part-time HNC in lighting design and technology as it was a fantastic opportunity to progress both my knowledge and career with a university recognised qualification. The block release units fit around my full-time career and family life, making the course accessible to those with high commitment levels,” said Ruth Barker.

The next intake of HNC students is already enrolling for the course which starts in September 2019.