Cardiff Metropolitan University postpones graduation ceremonies again

Fearing the coronavirus, Cardiff Metropolitan University has postponed graduation ceremonies for second year in a row.

No other university is Wales has made such a decision yet, with only Cardiff Met announcing its plan so far.

Since huge public gatherings in summer are still uncertain, a Cardiff Met spokesperson said: “In 2020 we made the difficult decision to postpone our traditional graduation ceremonies in light of the developing coronavirus pandemic.

“Given the ongoing uncertainty, our Combined Academic Board has made the difficult, but necessary, decision that there will be no graduation ceremonies during the 2021 calendar year.”

The university hopes the situation may change over the next year ,and has told this year’s graduating students: “Gaining a degree in normal circumstances is a huge achievement; what you have managed in the wake of a global pandemic is nothing short of remarkable.

“We believe that all graduating students have earned the right to have their achievements recognised at a formal graduation ceremony and we are committed to ensuring that this happens when it is safe to do so.

“It is our hope that we will be able to resume ceremonies in 2022 and we will provide more detail on our plans when we have a clearer understanding of what, if any, restrictions might be in place then.”

A third year dental technology student from Cardiff Met reacted to the news, saying: “The ceremonies were cancelled last year as well, so I am not surprised. I accepted no graduation ceremony because of Covid and the situation doesn’t look good.”

A student of MSc digital marketing management said: “It is really sad as I didn’t have a graduation ceremony last year as well. But it is responsible and safe. I have to accept that I will never have a graduation ceremony in my life.”

A spokesperson from Cardiff University said that they’ll take a decision next month. They said: “In terms of this year’s graduation ceremonies, we are closely following government guidelines regarding events in the UK and hope to update students regarding graduation ceremonies in April.”

Swansea University also said that it will take a decision “soon”.

On Monday, the Welsh Government announced that face-to-face learning can begin from next month.

However, Cardiff University said: “It’s still too early to give a definitive answer as to how September will look. The position remains under constant review, and we will update our students and staff as soon as we are in a position to do so.

“The details of our summer term are also being finalised in light of the Welsh Government announcement of a return to blended learning. As soon as they are finalised, we will write to all of our students and staff to update them.”

A spokesperson of Swansea University said: “It’s still too early to give a definitive answer as to how September will look. The position remains under constant review, and we will update our students and staff as soon as we are in a position to do so.

“The details of our summer term are also being finalised in light of the Welsh Government announcement of a return to blended learning. As soon as they are finalised, we will write to all of our students and staff to update them.”

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