2021 December graduation ceremony to be virtual celebration

Graduation ceremonies are milestones for students and in the life of the University as opportunities to celebrate and recognise your academic achievements. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the December graduation is unable to be held in the customary manner and will be replaced with an online ceremony. Degrees/awards will be conferred virtually at the online ceremony and graduation documents (testamur and academic transcript) will be mailed to graduands.

Why has this decision been made?

This decision is taken in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to take all possible steps to protect the health and safety of the University’s members and our broader community. Graduation is a significant milestone in a student’s university experience, and like you, we are disappointed to have to make this decision. Although it isn’t possible to gather in person, the university is considering ways to make the virtual celebration a memorable occasion.

Which ceremony does this decision affect?

The next ceremony is scheduled for Friday 3 December 2021. It will be an online (virtual) celebration. There will be no physical event held in Adelaide. Graduands, guests and staff will be invited to join together online at the planned ceremony time, to participate in a virtual ceremony.

What does this mean for graduands?

If you have been approved by the Academic Board as eligible to graduate, the status of your graduation is unaffected. If you have selected the 3 December 2021 graduation, you will automatically graduate in absentia, which means your degree or diploma will be conferred on the same date as scheduled and you will officially become a graduate of the University of Divinity on that day.

Graduands need to ensure that their postal address on the University’s student information system is up-to-date. Instructions are included in the graduation invitation email, or you can check with your Home College.

What about 2022 ceremonies?

The University has put plans in place for a variety of graduation ceremonies, including a return to past practice, smaller ceremonies incorporating social distancing, and online ceremonies. Due to the fast-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University is not yet able to provide information about the potential impact of COVID-19 on 2022 ceremonies. The next ceremony scheduled is for Melbourne in March 2022; a final decision about this ceremony will be taken no later than January 2022.