After completing the last three subjects in her Masters of Environmental and Business Management while living in the South Asian country, donning a kira at her Thursday ceremony made sense.

‘‘My highest marked subject was completed when I was there and I was able to integrate what I learned there into my studies, so this is my way of giving a nod to Bhutan,’’ she said.

Earlier in the day, her husband Jordi graduated with a Masters of Engineering Management.

‘‘It’s been very special to be able to celebrate together on the same day,’’ Mr Bates said. ‘‘Now we’re looking forward to applying our new skills in our workplaces.’’

The Bates took unpaid leave from their jobs – Mr Bates with Hunter Water and Mrs Bates with the NSW Public Works – to spend a year in Bhutan as part of the Australian Volunteers for International Development program.

The Bates both graduated with distinctions.