WHEN Dorcas Onyike, right , received her master's degree in InternationalManagement from Teesside University yesterday, it was a return visit to Middlesbrough Town Hall.

For Ms Onyike has already achieved a BA (Hons) in marketing and public relations from the university. She flew to Teesside from her home country of Nigeria to collect her second degree.

Ms Onyike is currently doing National Service at home, known as NYSC (National Youth Service Corps), which will end next summer.

The NYSC is a compulsory scheme for all university graduates both in and outside Nigeria. It was created to help reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war of 1967 to 1970.

Ms Onyike said: "I really enjoyed both degrees.My first graduation was special as I also received a prize for best overall performance on the course.

"Life is full of challenges and being at university is also full of them. However, Teesside reduced some of these challenges education wise by providing both practice and theory and, of course, the lecturers who do the great job of making sure this happens.

"I was pleased by the facilities and living costs, peace ofmind is all one needs to study and relax.

With my master's degree, I especially appreciated the innovative ideas and the constant ability in adapting to changes in the world today. This is what has made Teesside University different from all the othermodern universities.

"After I finish my national service, the world is my oyster."