It’s been a tough year for university students, with any number of traditions and coming-of-age rituals thrown into the COVID bin, but this year’s University of Canberra graduates can still immortalise their moment of success, in full graduation regalia, with UC’s weeklong physically distanced professional photoshoots.
The University will offer professional photography sessions from 12 to 17 October 2020 for those students who graduated in March and those who will graduate in September.
Each faculty will have four dedicated days and graduates can invite up to four family members or friends.
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Paddy Nixon said while the University couldn’t hold large-scale graduation ceremonies this year, they still wanted to ensure students had a keepsake of their momentous occasion.
“We know what a tough year it has been for our students due to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Professor Nixon said.
“We want to ensure that our students have the opportunity to mark this important achievement with the people who matter most to them – their family and friends.
“And the opportunity to throw their mortarboards in the air with pride.
“In speaking with our students, we found that the main source of disappointment in not having traditional graduations this year, was not being able to get that special photo in their graduation regalia to keep for posterity.
“We hope that by providing this week of family and friends photographs, our students feel a special sense of comradery in graduating in this year like no other, as they move to being UC alumni contributing to the ACT and surrounding region’s innovative workforce.”
Students can book professional photos for same-day collection, take free photobooth shots, and spend a couple of hours taking their own photos around campus, while a roaming social photographer snaps some memories throughout the day.
“Every effort is being been made to ensure social distancing protocols are followed in line with ACT Health guidelines, with hand sanitiser stations, the use of masks when not in front of the camera, and limiting groups of family and friends,” Professor Nixon said.
“The mortarboards and gowns provided will be single-use only, and each graduate can take their own mortarboard home.”
Students will also be able to collect their testamurs and transcripts on the day.
