Class of 2020 prepare for another virtual graduation

The North-West University (NWU) will continue to take a responsible approach to ensure that health risks related to the Coronavirus are mitigated. For this reason, the 2021 graduation ceremonies will again proceed virtually.

Even though the country has moved to level one of Coronavirus restrictions, social distancing regulations still apply.

Usually at this time of the year, students have purchased or rented their graduation gowns and are moments away from being honoured by faculty members and guest speakers. A chance to experience an emotional moment where they walk on stage to shake the vice chancellor’s right hand and receiving their degree or diploma certificates in their left hand. And finally, being recognised as a NWU alumni is not just a dream anymore.

Louis Jacobs, NWU spokesperson, said, “the NWU management committee decided that all events at the NWU will remain online. This includes the 2021 graduation ceremony. “’We may be on alert level one but we as a university need to look at the regulations. This includes the number of people in venues. We cannot move on as we would have in the past,” he said.

Jacobs said the NWU acknowledges that graduation is a very important milestone for students who have put in the work. “The university goes out of its way to accommodate students, and to give them some kind of experience. As a university, we learned new things with the virtual graduation ceremony of 2020. This year the university is considering all students needs and what these students are looking for in a virtual ceremony, all of which will be considered in the planning of the 2021 graduation ceremony.”

As the university finds ways to make virtual graduations exciting for 2020 students, graduates wish to make it an experience of a lifetime. Keisha Stuart, (21), who will be graduating with a BA degree in communication, said, “The university can encourage graduates to have their photo shoot at home with a cap and a gown, since photos are one of the most important part of graduation. Even though the ceremony is virtual, the memories can still be captured.”

Lance Lee Agulhas, (24), who also will be graduating with a BA degree in communication, said, “for every achievement my sisters and I have a gathering just to celebrate these moments. This is how I plan to celebrate my graduation.”

Jacobs said that virtual graduations will not become the norm for the university because graduation means a lot to students and their families. However, the NWU’s prime objective now is to handle these ceremonies without risks to the safety and health of students and stakeholders.