Rhodes University to celebrate its ‘virtual’ graduates during latest graduation ceremonies

The month of October is usually reserved for graduating Masters and PhD students, however, this year, Rhodes University will add a series of graduation celebration ceremonies for graduates who had to undergo virtual graduations due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Starting on Wednesday, 12 October at 09h30, four graduation celebration ceremonies will take place over two days for 2020 and 2021 graduates. These events will be held at the 1820 Settlers Monument, broken down by faculties, and each day will culminate in a get-together social event at the same venue. An estimated 1300 graduates from the two previous years have confirmed their attendance.

During these ceremonies, several of the Vice-Chancellor's Awardees who could not receive their medals on stage due to COVID-19 will also be honoured. 

"The easing of COVID-19 restrictions allows us to deliver on our promise of inviting back those graduates who had to put up with a virtual graduation. We look forward to sharing their 'big day' with them on our campus and at the monument," said Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela.

On Friday, 14 October, at 09h30, the Masters and Doctoral graduation will commence. There are over 175 graduands, with the majority in Humanities and Science. Women graduands make up almost 60%, and international graduands make up over 30% of the total.

During the graduation, Rhodes University will bestow an honour of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) on journalist and anti-apartheid activist High Commissioner Thenjiwe Mtintso. Professor Mabizela said this honour is in recognition and celebration of Mtintso's long and sustained contribution as a dedicated freedom fighter and a committed gender activist.

After the postgraduate graduation on Friday, the esteemed Grand Ball will take place at 19h00, hosted by the Division of Communication and Advancement. Tickets are offered at R300 per person, and table bookings are encouraged. Interested parties can go to https://bit.ly/3M02eMq to book. 

On Saturday, a celebration in the form of a Garden Party for the newly-graduated Masters and PhDs will take place at the Gavin Relly Postgraduate Village.

A pop-up shop at Alumni House (Lucas Avenue, next to Eden Grove) will have stock of several limited-edition Graduation 2022 items, clothing, gifts and assorted branded novelty items.

The University's social media channels will be jam-packed with pictures and videos, so keep a lookout for them. Please use the hashtag #RUOctGrad2022 for your own social media posts.

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodes_Uni

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhodesuniversity

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/rhodes-university

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhodes_university/

 

Please check the graduation gateway for further information and updates regarding the ceremonies. Information will be available at https://www.ru.ac.za/graduationgateway/.