UWC goes virtual with its 2020 graduation ceremony amid lockdown

UWC’s Virtual Graduation Ceremony. Source University of the Western Cape.

• 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. 

Augmented reality graduation caps were all the rage.

Some graduated in their sweat pants eating coco pops.

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

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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