Graduation ceremonies at two Welsh universities are cancelled

THERE will be no graduation ceremonies for students at two of Wales’ biggest universities this year.

Cardiff University and Swansea University have both announced they are postponing graduation events planned for this summer, citing “current public health and government advice” and “the ongoing Covid outbreak”.

This will be the second consecutive year students at the universities have missed out on a face-to-face graduation ceremony after the events were cancelled last year due to lockdown restrictions. Both universities have confirmed that students will be able to attend a graduation ceremony at a later date.

The move echoes those of the University of South Wales and Cardiff Metropolitan University, which both made similar announcements earlier this month.

A statement posted online by Cardiff University confirmed that a “virtual celebration” will be hosted for the class of 2021 instead.

A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “We have taken the difficult decision to postpone our 2021 in-person graduation ceremonies again this summer. We know that the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 will find this disappointing; however, this is not a decision that we have taken lightly. We want to be clear to both the classes of 2020 and 2021 assuming restrictions are lifted, we are absolutely determined to deliver in-person graduation for you all in the Summer of 2022, if it is safe to do so.

“As a university in Wales, we adhere to guidance from the Welsh Government which can differ from other parts of the UK. At the time of writing, Wales remains at alert level 4 and given the uncertainty and continued restrictions on large-scale events, we believe it is the right decision to postpone this year’s ceremonies and to provide students and their families with absolute clarity.

“We appreciate there is very hopeful and positive news about the roll-out of the vaccination programme, with the hope that the situation will improve by the summer.

“However, without absolute certainty, we cannot safely deliver an inclusive event of the size and scale of our previous in-person graduation ceremonies.

“We have consulted with other UK universities and whilst some continue to explore the possibility, we believe we will be in line with most other UK and Welsh universities in taking this difficult decision.”

A Swansea University spokeswoman said: “The cancellation of graduation ceremonies will not affect the students’ ability to graduate from either university.”