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Graduation 2024: Meet our Alumni speakers

Posted 23 September

Alumni speakers Amie Burke and Hakeem Ojo

The 2024 Graduation ceremonies saw both the presentation of Honorary Degrees and speeches by distinguished alumni of the University.

The speakers at this year’s ceremonies were Amie Burke and Hakeem Ojo.

Both recalled fondly their time at Harper Adams to the assembled graduates, friends, family, supporters and guests – and passed on words of advice for the graduating students, as well as talking about how they had applied their own studies since they graduated.

Amie Burke, BSc (Hons) Business Management with Marketing: Inclusivity Programme Manager, IGD

Amie graduated from Harper Adams in 2010 and has spent 15 years working in the agriculture sector, from banking to business improvement - across the whole supply chain.

After four years travelling internationally helping clients with their sustainability goals, Amie took a role with AHDB to focus on people sustainability in UK farming.

As a passionate LGBTQ+ member, Amie takes her knowledge and emotional intelligence to deliver insight, best practice and a reverse mentoring programme for FMCG industry; helping to inspire change and support businesses to create inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.

She told the Ceremony: “Some of you started Harper at the darkest period our world has seen for years, and you’ve certainly had a testing and different learning experience than most.

“Covid, cost of living crisis, recession, multiple governments not putting students as priority… it’s a pretty big list of external challenges whilst you go through mental battle of getting through your degrees.

“But if there is one thing that I know about your generation, it’s that you are one of the most resilient, because you’ve faced so many ‘unprecedented times’, you bounce back quicker and higher and it makes you all incredible candidates for the labour market and building a prosperous career for yourselves.”

And, she told the graduating students: “You are part of an elite club, the Harper Adams brand will open doors that you couldn’t imagine but you have to lean into those doors, they won’t just open without you reaching out and asking for help.

“I use my Harper Adams network almost every day, we all go off in such diverse careers - but there is always a touch point of reconnection.”

Hakeem Ojo, MSc International Agri-Business and Food Chain Management, Board Apprentice, The Farming ÎÞÂ붯»­ Network

Since he graduated in 2020, Hakeem has held a variety of roles within the UK agricultural, food, and retail sectors.

He is currently a member of the buying and procurement team at a leading food manufacturing company.

Hakeem is also the co-founder of Integrated Aerial Precision, a Nigerian agri-tech drone company and is honoured as one of the “20 Talents in Their 20s” by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK (CILT) and a McDonald’s Breaking Barriers Scholar.

He told the Ceremony: “I came all the way from Nigeria with a background in insurance, after months of researching the ‘top agricultural universities in the world’ - determined to get the best education possible in my chosen field.

“After spending your respective years here at Harper Adams, I’m sure you’ll all agree that I made a wise, albeit risky, decision. Since graduating in 2020, every room I step into, I am recognised as a respected professional once I mention the name ÎÞÂ붯»­.

“As I now finalise plans to pursue a PhD, Harper Adams remains at the top of my considerations! I can confidently tell you today, you’ve made the right choice.”

He concluded: “To the Class of 2024, congratulations!

“What you hold in your hands today is more than just a certificate—it’s a legacy, a mark of recognition, and a badge of respect in our industry. Use it well. The world is waiting for your contributions, and I have no doubt you will confidently fill those boots.”