THE University of Bolton tends to come in for criticism from people who have nothing to do with it and perhaps don’t understand its real influence.

I happened to be over at the central campus last week during graduation and I was struck by the real importance of the university to Bolton.

This wasn’t just because of the happy faces of the successful graduates, relieved and thankful to have got through their studies and gained their qualifications. It was also because of the great pride of their relatives and friends who supported them.

The students were of all ages, from various backgrounds; some had overcome particular handicaps to their studies. There were students in wheelchairs, one with a guide dog and one or two with very young babies.

The sheer numbers, the wealth of achievement and the overall positivity was so impressive, repeated over and over again. So many students were embarking on careers, thanks to a positive and enjoyable experience in our town. Definitely a matter for Bolton pride.