University of Canberra graduands get the chance to don cap and gown amid virus

The coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the university tradition this year, but the University of Canberra has come up with a COVID-safe way to celebrate students' achievements.

Deputy vice-chancellor academic Professor Geoff Crisp said those who missed out on their graduation ceremonies would be able to book in for a socially-distanced photo session with their families.

"This year we've had to cancel both our March graduation ceremony and our September one so the idea was: what can we do to actually still have a celebratory activity for the students where they can bring along their family bring along their friends, still be able to social distance but to still get that feel of having a celebration and marking the end of their time?" Professor Crisp said.

Those who graduated in March or will be graduating in September will be able to book in for a photo session between October 12 and 17.

They can bring up to four family members and friends with them to the University of Canberra campus.

The single-use gowns and mortarboards and a photo booth will be provided for free.

People can book in for professional photos for a fee or they can roam the campus to take their own photos for a few hours.

Those who haven't collected their testamur and transcript will be able to do so on the day. They'll also be able to take home the mortarboard.

Graduates and graduands will be invited to book their session online so the university can control the number of people on campus.

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Professor Crisp said some of the senior academics at the university including the vice-chancellor and executive deans would be present in their academic gowns and available for photos as well.

Other universities have been looking for ways to celebrate their graduations while avoiding large crowds.

Australian National University compiled a video montage of their July graduands to mark the mid-year conferrals. ANU students who are due to graduate can do so in absentia or during gala online ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Australian Catholic University is working on a similar on-campus photo opportunity in lieu of the traditional graduation ceremony.

Professor Crisp said putting on the gown and mortarboard formalised an important milestone while coming back to campus brought up great memories.

"Getting a degree is actually a really important part of someone's life. So to celebrate that being in a way which which gives us the dignity and the solemnity, but also the sort of fun part, as well," he said.

"That's why people take photographs around the campus and that's also a bit of memory of the time that they would have spent on campus. We think that's very special."