MORE than 300 people will gather at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre today, at 2pm, to take part in a graduation ceremony from Teesside University, the University of the Year.

Teesside was awarded the title of University of the Year by The Times Higher Education magazine.

The 86 graduates achieved their academic awards at Teesside University’s £2m Centre within Darlington College.

They will be joined by their family and friends in today’s celebration, the third annual Teesside University graduation ceremony to take place in the town.

Before the ceremony, an academic procession will set off from Darlington Town Hall through the town centre.

The procession will include the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Graham Henderson, the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Jim Ruck, the council’s leader, Councillor John Williams, and senior members of the university, Darlington College and Darlington council.

Graduates will then receive their awards from the vice-chancellor.

Teesside University is building a huge presence in Darlington. In addition to the annual graduations, the university opened its own premises off The Fairway last September, which delivers a range of part-time courses.

A joint prospectus between Darlington College and the university, detailing course provision offered by the two institutions in Darlington, will be published in May.

And in June 2011, the university will open a £13m five-storey building in Darlington, beside Darlington College’s buildings in Central Park.

The project has been funded by the university, One North East, via Tees Valley Unlimited, and Darlington council and is supported by Darlington college and Tees Valley Regeneration.

Professor Graham Henderson, Teesside University’s vicechancellor said: “I am delighted that we are again holding this ceremony in Darlington. I am very much looking forward to celebrating the success of our graduates and sharing with them our plans, with our partners, for the development of the university in Darlington and the surrounding area.”