Graduation ceremonies a success

Autumn graduation ceremonies fairly conducted

The Tshwane University of Technology’s graduation numbers have been on a steady incline, with a total of 10 904 successful graduates receiving their qualifications from 16 April to 29 May 2018. In 2017 the total number stood at 10 148. From the 10 904 qualifications, twenty were at the doctoral level and 146 received master’s qualifications. During the 2018 autumn graduation ceremonies the univer- sity hosted approximately 43 672 guests, including graduating candidates.

All candidates who complied with the requirements for the issuing of their respective qualifications were invited to come and graduate, regardless of whether they were owing the university or not. However, certificates of candidates whose accounts were in arrears were withheld, and will only be issued after settlement of the outstanding balance.

Positive feedback was received from both internal and external stakeholders regarding the excellent manner in which the 2018 autumn graduation ceremonies were conducted. Suffice to say that the 2018 autumn graduation ceremonies were, in general, conducted well and without any serious challenges.

Graduation statistics

Compared to the same graduation period in 2017, 752 more students graduated during the 2018 autumn graduation ceremonies — a 7.4% increase. The number of candidates who graduated for doctoral and master’s degrees, however dropped from 35 to 21, and 159 to 146 respectively. The number of candidates who graduated for diploma and degree qualifications increased from 5 737 to 6 050 and 3 590 to 3 901 respectively. Honours figures improved from 149 to 161, a 12% increase as compared to 2017.

Identification of candidates

The identification of candidates who would possibly qualify to graduate started before the end of the 2016 academic year. The identification of candidates was accomplished by using the following:

students

Certification Management Office of possible completing students

D graduation candidates.

Graduation venues

Candidates graduated at the campuses where they studied, except for the Polokwane Campus candidates and candidates from Economics and Finance, The Arts, and Science faculties. The graduation ceremony for the candidates of the Faculty of Economics and Finance was held at Soshanguve South Campus due to the lack of a suitable venue at the Ga-Rankuwa Campus.

Candidates from the Science and The Arts faculties graduated at Pretoria West Campus (TB Hall). The graduation ceremonies for Polokwane Campus were held at Polokwane /Jack Botes Town Hall.