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Graduation goes virtual amid COVID-19 lockdown

  • Technology has saved the day and many graduates have been able to celebrate and be part of graduation ceremonies from anywhere in the country.
  • Image Credits :
  • SABC News - Graduation (R)
Reading Time: 3 minutes

In South Africa and around the world, the coronavirus pandemic has impacted all aspects of life including education. Most universities have now opted to host virtual graduations to confer certificates, diplomas and degrees to the laureates.

April is generally graduation month in South Africa, however, this time around, thousands of graduates have had to do with solo graduations in the comfort of their own homes.

Technology has saved the day and many graduates have been able to celebrate and be part of graduation ceremonies from anywhere in the country.

The University of Pretoria (UP) conferred 11 001 degrees, diplomas and certificates to students in absentia during the March-April 2020 national lockdown.

The university says all students will receive their printed certificates during postponed graduation ceremonies set to take place later this year.

UP Vice-Chancellor Professor Tawana Kupe says the virtual ceremony was to “fulfill the formal legal requirement that a degree is conferred in a ceremony designated by the authorities.”

Kupe says his university will still host the social ceremony, post the COVID-19 lockdown. “Post COVID-19, we are going to have those traditional ceremonies, where people walk across the stage, photographs are taken, ululations happens and there are parties at home and all of those things.”

“What we did was be creative under the conditions of COVID-19 – do the formal legal ceremony so that people can go on with their lives and have their certificates.”

In the video below, the spotlight is shown on virtual graduation:

UWC virtual graduation

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) also opted to use technology and hosted virtual graduation for its graduates saying, “Graduations are life-changing milestones, especially at UWC where many students are first-generation graduates in their families…”

“Students look forward to this day when they can share their achievement with loved ones and receive their certificates proudly.”

Graduation on social media

In celebration, some took to social media to share their special day donned in graduation gowns or just to commemorate their achievement.

Wearing a graduation gown, posed on her balcony @zethu_ngobo posted a tweet saying, “Today was supposed to be my graduation, collected the belt this time around. Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.”

@MphomaneZenande with 7 friends who live in the same house, staged their own private graduation ceremony and shared in social media.

In Japan, students at Business Breakthrough University in Tokyo used “Newme” mobile robots with a tablet to host a Zoom call. Graduates had the experience of walking across the stage and accepting their diplomas at the Hotel Grand Palace in Tokyo, virtually.

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