Hundreds to graduate during SMART grad

More than 400 diplomas and degrees will be conferred during the CPUT SMART graduation on 16 December 2020.

CPUT will be conferring diplomas and degrees on 440 graduates during our SMART graduation on 16 December 2020.

While the Summer Graduation series usually takes place at this time of the year, the restriction on mass gatherings brought about by the national lockdown means that the ceremony can only take place digitally.

Digital graduation ceremonies differ from virtual graduations by lending a more personal touch. Individual students will be recognised by having their qualifications conferred upon them instead of a blanket conferral of all qualifications.

Graduates will be invited to upload a photo and personal message onto our portal. These messages and photos will be displayed on the screen along with the name, qualification, and, where applicable, cum laude status when the Faculty Dean announces the graduates’ name.

Graduates and their families will be able to watch the ceremonies on several platforms.

A special SMART Graduation website will also be created that will enable the graduates to download the ceremony video, a personalised slide with photo, message and qualification and official graduation programme.

“Graduation is one of the most important events on the university’s calendar but, like tertiary institutions around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the institution to find an alternative to a traditional ceremony,” said Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo. “As such, we are planning an online celebration of 2020 graduates so that they can remotely share this moment with their family, friends, and community.”

The graduates include 43 Master’s graduates and nine who have earned their doctorates.

Written by Kwanele Butana

Source: CPUT