7 September 2020: The University of Canberra will offer students graduating in 2020 the chance to commemorate the occasion, together with family and friends, with physically distanced professional photoshoots in full graduation regalia.
“We know what a tough year it has been for our students due to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Professor Paddy Nixon, Vice-Chancellor and President. “So we want to ensure that our students have the opportunity to mark this important achievement with the people that matter most to them – their family and friends.”
The University will offer professional photography sessions for both those students who graduated in March 2020 and those who will be graduating in September 2020, with up to four family members or friends in a group. The sessions will run from 12 – 17 October 2020, with dedicated days for each faculty.
“While we cannot hold a large-scale graduation ceremony this year, we want to make sure our students have a keepsake of this momentous occasion, and the opportunity to throw their mortarboards in the air with pride.”
Students will be provided with the loan of a mortarboard and gown for free, and will be able to book professional photos, take free photobooth shots and then spend a couple of hours taking their own photos around campus. A roaming social photographer will also be snapping memories throughout the day. Students will also be able to collect their testamurs and transcripts on the day.
“Every effort is being been made to ensure social distancing protocols are followed in line with ACT Health guidelines, with hand sanitiser stations, the use of masks when not in front of the camera, and limiting groups of family and friends,” said Professor Nixon. “The mortarboards and gowns provided will be single-use only, and each graduate can take their own mortarboard home.”
Those graduates who cannot attend the photography sessions will be able to collect their graduation documentation in person or have it posted worldwide.
“In speaking with our students, we found that the main source of disappointment in not having traditional graduations this year was not being able to get that special photo in their graduation regalia to keep for posterity,” said Professor Nixon.
“We hope that by providing this week of family and friends photographs, our students feel a special sense of comradery in graduating in this year like no other, as they move to being UC Alumni contributing to the ACT and surrounding region’s innovative workforce.”
Graduating students will receive an email for registration.
