The Grameen Caledonian Program has reached a major milestone as the first batch of students of Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN) completed their graduation. Nobel Peace Laureate & Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed at the graduation ceremony on 2nd March 2013 in Dhaka.

Professor Pamela Gillies, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), Scotland, UK attended as a chief guest of the program. Professor Muhammad Yunus awarded the top three students with the scholarships to go abroad for their higher education.

In his speech, Professor Muhammad Yunus congratulated the new nursing graduates and their parents in that great occasion. He said “it’s a fairy tale in a fairy tale world. These thirty eight graduates are the princess of that fairy tale. Today is the day of this princess as you have turned the impossible into possible and that’s why it brings tear in our eyes.” He urged the young graduates to show their worth and that’s the biggest challenge they have to carry with. He thanked everyone involved in GCCN’s activities. He recognized the role played by Grameen Healthcare Trust and its CEO, Ms. Lamiya Morshed for all the works she has done behind it. He also recognized the works of Imamus Sultan as he is the one who initiated the whole project out of nothing.

Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed his gratefulness to Professor Pamela Gillies for taking the bold decision and her commitment to GCCN. And finally he called for a standing ovation to Professor Barbara Parfitt for dedicating for dedicating every moment of her life for all these years.

While speaking to the audience Professor Pamela Gillies congratulated the new young women graduates and said that “we should remember that none of this is possible without the leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus. He never daunted by difficult challenges such as creating educational opportunities in the field of nursing in his home country.”

Professor Veronica James, Pro-Vice Chancellor and the executive dean of Grameen Caledonian University (GCU) said that “I am speaking to you as a nurse myself and I don’t think even I can appreciate the amount of work that is taken to set up this international pioneering school. I would like to pay my respect and enormous tribute to the peoples who had the imaginations to start the school.”

Professor Barbara Parfitt, the founding Principal of GCUN, in a statement said that “I am delighted that our first batch of students has reached their goal and has graduated. This is a day of great Joy for everyone. The families of our students will be full of pride to see their daughter successfully complete this very challenging program and to be able to start a career as an international professional nurse. This is something that most of them only dreamed about.” “Our students will now go out into the world as fledgling leaders and change agents. They will develop their skills and expertise and contribute to the empowerment of nurses and of women in Bangladesh. In twenty years time I expect that some of them will hold key positions in the government and health care services. This is our aim and today we see our vision it being born” she added.

National Professor M R Khan in his speech congratulated all the new nursing graduates and hoped for a better future. Surya Begum, register of Bangladesh Nursing Council (BNC) also spoke on that occasion.

Finally the students of GCUN displayed cultural performance and Professor Muhammad Yunus capped and gave certificates to all the news graduates.