UKZN hosts virtual autumn graduation ceremony – 25-28 May 2021
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will host a virtual graduation ceremony for the graduating class of 2021 from 25-28 May 2021. All the qualifications listed in the various graduation programmes will be conferred during these virtual congregations of the University.
The University had hoped that by 2021 we would be able to hold our traditional graduation celebrations. Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented challenges brought about by COVID-19, the University has had to once again significantly change the way it is required to undertake the conferral of qualifications and distribution of its degree and diploma certificates. As one of the largest Universities in the country, this is indeed an enormous undertaking.
This year, the University will broadcast four separate ceremonies. These ceremonies will be available for online viewing by graduates, family and friends, and a recording of the event as well as a programme will be shared with graduates on the day of their College graduation ceremony. The Ceremonies will be broadcast on the following dates:
College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science 25 May @ 11h00
College of Health Sciences 26 May @ 11h00
College of Humanities 27 May @ 11h00
College of Law and Management Studies 28 May @ 11h00
UKZN Graduations are the culmination of many years of hard work and are significant for our graduates and their families and communities who share in their achievements.
The virtual graduation ceremony will entail the conferring of degrees on graduands who have succeeded in fulfilling their academic requirements and whose names appear on the graduation programme, including those students who will receive their qualifications posthumously.
The virtual graduation ceremony will feature the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nana Poku, as Acting Chancellor, an address by the Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Heads of College Deans will convey their congratulatory messages to our graduands. There will also be messages of support from the SRC President and Convocation President.
The University is proud to announce that it will be conferring a total of 10 313 degree certificates, 7 399 of which will be awarded to undergraduate recipients and 2 914 to postgraduate students. There are 362 Masters (thesis) and 257 doctoral graduands.
As has been the trend in previous years, 62,57% are women graduands. This year the University is proud to announce that 381 students will graduate cum laude and 148 students’ summa cum laude. Women graduates make up approximately 68% of the top achievers.
The University is incredibly proud of the achievements of 90 students with disabilities, 26 of whom have completed postgraduate studies. Three exceptional achievers will graduate with PhDs and 6 with Masters.
There are 246 international graduands, 201 of whom will graduate with postgraduate certificates, with 109 attaining their doctoral qualifications.
Overall, 1 781 degrees will be conferred in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, 5 363 in the College of Humanities, 2010 in the College of Law and Management Studies, and 1 159 in the College of Health Sciences.
As in previous years, the University will share with the media exceptional and unique graduation stories of achievement.
Ms Normah Zondo
Acting Executive Director: Corporate Relations Division
University of KwaZulu-Natal
For further information please contact:
Indu Moodley, Media Liaison Officer on (031) 260 7213 / (083) 555 9508 or at [email protected] or Sejal Desai, Media Liaison Officer on (031) 260 7829 / (083) 284 9333 or at [email protected]
