On Friday 6 June 2025, the Pilbara Kimberley University Centres (PKUC) hosted its annual graduation celebration at the Red Earth Arts Precinct (REAP) in Karratha, honouring the achievements of 44 regional students completing a wide array of higher education courses.
The graduates began their evening with gowning at PKUC Karratha, followed by photos in The Quarter courtyard and a celebratory parade through the town centre to REAP.
Their course completions represent a diverse range of academic pathways – from tertiary preparation programs to master's degrees – undertaken through 8 different higher education institutions across 11 fields of study, including nursing, social work, health sciences, engineering, business, law, project management, leadership and mentoring, and occupational hygiene and toxicology.
A major highlight of 2025 is the celebration of the first-ever cohort of CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Nursing students who have completed their entire degree in the Pilbara. This milestone has been achieved through a model of locally supported online study combined with residential schools delivered by PKUC staff in Port Hedland, and professional experience placements supported by local health providers.
PKUC CEO Susan Grylls said, “This nursing cohort is proof that with the right support and local delivery models, regional students can complete high-quality university degrees without leaving their communities. It marks a new chapter in accessible, place-based education in the Pilbara.”
Three special awards were announced recognising outstanding graduates:
Rio Tinto Spirit of the Pilbara Award: Sarah Rix - Honors students who demonstrate exceptional support for their peers and contribute positively to the student community.
Roy Hill Rising Star Award: Emma Jackson - Celebrates a nursing student whose study journey has been defined unwavering dedication to the profession.
Roy Hill Nursing Student of the Year: Bella Korewha - Recognises a student who not only demonstrates academic excellence but also embodies the heart of the nursing profession - compassion, resilience, and deep commitment to patient care.
The evening also featured the announcement of the 2025 PKUC Scholarship recipients. With a record 52 applications – double the number received in 2024 – PKUC awarded $51,000 in scholarships aimed at supporting students from the Pilbara and Kimberley regions to overcome financial barriers to higher education.
PKUC acknowledges event sponsor Rio Tinto and their Scholarships and Nursing Program sponsors: BCI Minerals; Broome International Airport; City of Karratha; Honourable Melissa Price, Member for Durack; Nickol Bay Fertiliser Co.; Onslow Salt; Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation; Roy Hill; Shire of Ashburton; Woodside Energy and Joint Venture Partners, Yaandina Community Services.
With study hubs in Karratha, Port Hedland, Onslow, Tom Price, Broome and Kununurra, PKUC currently supports 444 students (with this number anticipated to exceed 600 by the end of 2026) and continues to grow as a vital education service in Northern Western Australia.
View the original article on the PKUC Website.
