Proud Jackie ready to cheer on creative Cameron

There will be no shortage of proud mums at this week’s Dundee University graduation ceremonies but only one will be on stage when her son receives his degree.

Jackie Malcolm, a senior lecturer at the university’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, will be part of the traditional academic procession when her son Cameron receives a first class honours degree in product design.

Jackie, who lectures in graphic design and graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone herself, admits there is a danger her excitement will bubble over when Cameron crosses the stage.

“I don’t know if I’m allowed to stand up and cheer him on, but I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself,” she said. “What a moment it will be to see my son walk across the stage right in front of me.”

Cameron, 21, said: “It was initially a strange experience going to a university that my mum teaches at. However I was determined to do Product Design at Duncan of Jordanstone, and my mum’s career there as a lecturer has continued to inspire me.”

Jackie’s previous experience of starting her own business has also been an inspiration. And he and classmate Cameron Watt are in the process of launching their new creative technology company, Cameron and Cameron.

Supported by the university’s Centre of Entrepreneurship, the company will design interactive technology for organisations to enable customers to engage with the brand on an interactive level.

The graduation ceremonies take place from today until Friday at the Caird Hall, with around 3,000 students expected to receive their degrees and diplomas over the course of the week.

Ten honorary degrees will also be awarded to individuals such as Kengo Kuma, architect of V&A Dundee and former student Gary Lightbody, lead singer of Snow Patrol.

This week marks the end of a very special chapter for hundreds of students as they graduate from Dundee University. Many will doubtless take the skills they have learned elsewhere, but others will remain in the area, putting all their learning to good use and boosting the local economy in the process.

Wherever their next steps take them, we wish them every success.

Around 3,000 students will receive their degrees this week.