High Achievers Celebrated at Plymouth Big Optometry Event

(Press Release) written by Luke McRoy-Jones

On Wednesday 18th September, the Optometry programme welcomed returning students back, along with a new intake, with our annual ‘Big Optometry Event’. The prize giving event awards the highest achievers from the past academic year, with those who achieved the highest and most improved marks celebrated. Those who have made a contribution to the programme are also thanked and the event provides a platform to look forward to the new academic year.
Awards were donated by a range of industry sponsors and included ophthalmoscope sets, Volk lenses, vouchers and various other pieces of ophthalmic equipment. Namely, sponsors included Specsavers, Keeler, Heine, FODO, Vision Express, Norville, Alcon, Thea and Louis Stone. Overall, over £4,000 of prizes are given away, giving students vital equipment for the start of their career.
The event concluded with pizza and refreshments, with the event being sponsored by Vivid Optical. Luke Elias, Managing Director of Vivid Optical outlined how Vivid Optical were keen to support optometrists at all stages of their career. ‘‘Vivid Optical are delighted to have an ongoing relationship with Plymouth Optometry Society and the University of Plymouth. As the leading optical recruitment consultancy in the UK, Vivid Optical are keen to support all optometrists, including students, and for the second year running, it was a pleasure to support this great event’ he said.
The Optometry Programme at University of Plymouth has around 200 students and took its first intake in 2011. The programme was the first in the South West and has grown over the past few years, in line with investment in facilities and resources. Plymouth Optometry Society has an excellent working relationship with the team at the university and worked with them to organise this event. Dr Stephanie Mroczkowska, Optometry Programme Lead said ‘We are very proud of all of our student’s achievements and our Big Optometry Event is a lovely way to celebrate the successes of last academic year and to look forward to the year ahead. Our student optometry society (OpSoc) continues to grow from strength to strength and the support we get from the sponsors is fantastic. We couldn’t put on events like this without them; it really is one big team effort’     

---