- The University of the Western Cape (UWC) went ahead with its plans to celebrate hundreds of graduates with a virtual graduation ceremony.
- Not to be outshone, graduates took to social media with some ingenious adaptations to celebrate their achievements online.
- For more stories go to www.BusinessInsider.co.za.
With the entire nation in lockdown amid coronavirus, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on Tuesday went ahead with its plans to celebrate hundreds of graduates with a virtual graduation ceremony.
While the current global crisis of the Covid-19 virus has cast a shadow on communal gatherings to celebrate milestones, the UWC opted to rather celebrate its graduates by turning to technology and hosting a 30-minute event at 10:00 on Tuesday morning online.
On their YouTube page they noted that graduations are life-changing milestones and it could not take away the joy for many of its students that were to be 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,” UWC said.
Other Universities have dealt with the lockdown differently with the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosh University and the University of Pretoria suspending or cancelling ceremonies and conferring all degrees, diplomas and certificates in absentia.
Not to be outshone, graduates took to social media with some ingenious adaptions to celebrate their achievements online:
Some drew in their own gowns.
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. It certainly wasn't easy juggling everything all at once but through the grace of God I persevered and ultimately I slayed and conquered.Second Qualification ????#IamUWC #UWCGrad2020 #UWC60 pic.twitter.com/Q8y964L4sN
— ??Top Runner(umngani KaBolt) (@Ikhaya_Xavier) March 31, 2020
Augmented reality graduation caps were all the rage.
Congratulations to me and all the other graduates ?????? #uwcgrad2020 pic.twitter.com/XubDjBKt9A
— Makazi kaCwenga (@AngryXhosaWoman) March 31, 2020
... and for some good news, I virtually graduated this morning! Yay!@UWConline pic.twitter.com/8X184phqYj
— Nikki Jacobs (@nikkijj17) March 31, 2020
Some graduated in their sweat pants eating coco pops.
I really graduated this morning in sweatpants, eating coco pops with my hair not done ?? thank you @UWConline ?? pic.twitter.com/mRwNiPMRXu
— nikita ?? (@nikeeeater) March 31, 2020
While others took to TikTok. So today was my graduation ?????? ???? I have no words ???? - mixed emotions @UWConline #COVID19 #21daysLockdownSA #Graduation2020 pic.twitter.com/O64qvJ4W3M
— Larnelle (@LarnelleLewies) March 31, 2020
So today was my graduation ?????? ???? I have no words ???? - mixed emotions @UWConline #COVID19 #21daysLockdownSA #Graduation2020 pic.twitter.com/O64qvJ4W3M
— Larnelle (@LarnelleLewies) March 31, 2020
At a later stage, once business returns to normal, the UWC said it hopes to hold a physical ceremony for graduates who may wish to attend. The milestone coincided with the university's 60th year celebrations.
Compiled by Jay Caboz.
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