Hundreds of students bid farewell to their time at university yesterday as their friends, families, and loved ones looked on.
The grand surroundings of His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen were the setting for the Robert Gordon University (RGU) business school graduations, which were held across the morning and afternoon.
Among those celebrating was Trevor Garlick OBE, who was given an honorary doctorate in recognition of his long career in the oil and gas industry.
He was made a doctor of technology in recognition of a career spanning three decades.
And the former regional president of BP’s UK and Norwegian operations was optimistic about the future of the industry, despite the current crisis.
In his speech to graduates, he said: “As challenging as it is, don’t let anyone tell you that the North Sea is over – it’s far from over.”
Although he has now retired, Mr Garlick said he planned to return to the industry in a part-time capacity to try and aid the recovery.
Speaking after the ceremony, he said: “I think, from an industry perspective, there’s a lot being done to try and sustain the sector and I hope to get back in and help out.
“For the students themselves it means it might be a bit harder for a while to get jobs in oil and gas, but they have got a great degree here.
“A degree from RGU is a great start, we’ve already heard today that it’s now the top university in Scotland for job prospects, some of them will get a job in oil and gas, some will move into other areas.”
Mr Garlick, who is married to Rosie, graduated from Heriot-Watt University with a masters in petroleum engineering and joined BP in 1985.
He eventually became an oilfield manager, moving to the north-east in 1991 where he stayed for several years.
The father-of-two was promoted to head of country for BP Norway in 2007 and moved to Stavanger, Norway.
Mr Garlick returned to Aberdeen first as the vice-president for reservoir and development before being made the head of BP’s North Sea operations in 2010.
He also served as co-chairman of Oil and Gas UK, and as a director of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, before retiring earlier this year.
Last month he was made an OBE on the Queen’s 90th Birthday honours list.
