Press release

Joy at return of Graduation ceremonies

Published on 11 November 2021

For eight months it served as one of Scotland’s largest vaccination centres, but Caird Hall will revert to a place of celebration next week when the University of Dundee holds its first physical Graduation ceremonies for two years

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For eight months it served as one of Scotland’s largest vaccination centres, but Caird Hall will revert to a place of celebration next week when the University of Dundee holds its first physical Graduation ceremonies for two years.

The University will mark the achievements of over 2000 undergraduate and postgraduate students when this year’s Winter Graduation takes place on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 November.

Graduands will be joined by family and friends to celebrate their academic achievements at the first such ceremonies the University has been able to host since November 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic, subsequent Government restrictions and the requisitioning of Caird Hall meant Dundee’s last three Graduation ceremonies have had to take place online.

The University intends to offer ceremonies in 2022 for all those students who missed out on a physical graduation over the past two years

While some mitigation measures will remain in place at next week’s event, Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University, said he was delighted to be welcoming graduands and their guests to Winter Graduation.

“Our graduating students have completed their studies in the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and they deserve great credit for all they have achieved,” he said. “Graduation is a time of great pride for students and their families and I am thrilled that we are once more able to host physical ceremonies where we can all share in their joy as we celebrate their achievements.

“On a personal note, this will be a special occasion for me as it my first opportunity to attend an in-person Graduation since I came here. I am very excited about having the opportunity to meet with graduands and their families and to congratulate them on all they have achieved.

“We have not forgotten about our alumni who graduated in Summer 2020, Winter 2020 and Summer 2021, and we sincerely hope to welcome them back to Dundee for the physical Graduation they missed out on as soon as possible.”

The winter celebrations are held to allow students whose courses finish after the traditional Summer Graduation to receive their awards as soon as possible after successfully completing their studies. Two ceremonies will be held on Thursday 18 November, with another taking place the following morning.

Measure are will be put in place to ensure everyone’s safety during the ceremonies. The Caird Hall will be operating at a reduced capacity with face coverings to be worn at all times, including whilst seated, unless medically exempt. Staff, students and family are also encouraged to take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) before attending the ceremonies with track and trace procedures to be followed within the venue.

The ceremonies will be live streamed through the University’s YouTube channel to allow friends and family to tune in to the events.

On the morning of Thursday 18 November, students from the Schools of Education and Social Work, Life Sciences and Medicine will receive their awards from 10am. The afternoon ceremony will begin at 2.30pm and see graduands from the School of Business, School of Science and Engineering, School of Social Sciences, the School of Humanities and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design cross the stage.

The third ceremony, for students from the Schools of Health Sciences and Dentistry, will take place at 10am on Friday.

Dundee University Student Association (DUSA) will host Graduation Afternoon Tea events from 12.30pm on each day.

Follow #UoDGrad on social media to keep up with all the Graduation action.

Find out more about Caird Hall safety guidance.

Notes to editors

Photo opportunities at City Square, Dundee: 9.15am on Thursday 18 November, 1.45pm on Thursday 18 November and 9.15am on Friday 19 November

Enquiries

Hannah Adams

Media Relations Officer

+44 (0)1382 385131

hadams001@dundee.ac.uk