Graduates throwing their caps in the air. PHOTO: Unsplash
Stellenbosch University (SU) graduates will receive their qualifications in absentia during a virtual graduation ceremony, on 3 April at 14:00.
“Graduands and their family and friends will be able to follow the virtual proceedings online,” according to a statement released by dr Ronel Retief, SU registrar.
This follows the cancellation of SU’s March/April graduation, in order to take precautionary measures against the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Along with dr Retief, judge Edwin Cameron and prof Wim de Villiers, the rector and vice-chancellor of SU, will record their graduation speeches separately and from their own homes, in accordance with the rules of the national lockdown, said Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson.
“A specific date and time has been set for the ceremony, during which time graduands, judge Edwin Cameron, prof Wim de Villiers and dr Ronel Retief will watch the ceremony together virtually,” said Viljoen.
Prof Wim de Villiers, rector and vice-chancellor of SU. PHOTO: Stellenbosch University
Opportunity to walk graduation stage
Graduands who would have received their certificates in March/April 2020, will also have the opportunity to walk the graduation stage in December 2020, said Viljoen. This is provided that the December graduations are not disrupted due to similar Covid-19 circumstances, he said.
SU honours student, Marige Carstens, who would have received her undergraduate degree in BSc (Earth Sciences), in April, said she is grateful for the opportunity that the virtual graduation presents.
“It’s definitely not ideal. I would have preferred a physical graduation, but at least the university took initiative and gave us an alternative,” said Carstens.
Coetzenburg Centre, during a regular graduation ceremony in April 2014. PHOTO: Stellenbosch University
The link to the virtual ceremony will be posted on www.sun.ac.za on Friday morning.