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The University of Wollongong has pushed back its July graduation ceremonies to at least mid-September as a result of lockdown and the uncertainties of future public health orders.
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In-person graduation ceremonies were scheduled to take place from Wednesday, July 21 to Friday, July 23, but with the extension of lockdown and any potential future orders unknown, the university is now planning these events for the mid-session break in late September.
"The current health pandemic continues to hit us all very hard, impacting all aspects of our lives," vice-chancellor Professor Patricia Davidson said.
"With the Delta strain of COVID-19 circulating in the community, a more vigilant response is required until most of our population is vaccinated.
"As difficult as it is not to live our lives as freely as we would like, our priority must be to continue to protect the health and safety of the community.
"After many weeks of discussion and consultation, we think this is in our community's best interests."
The announcement came just before Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced tightened lockdown restrictions for Greater Sydney,
UOW plans to hold the ceremonies off-campus at WIN Stadium or the entertainment centre, to allow for more graduates and guests while accommodating COVID restrictions.
The rescheduled ceremonies will be open to all students eligible to graduate, as well as 2020 graduates who missed out on an in-person graduation last year.
The dates of the ceremonies will depend on the health advice and restrictions at the time.
"I understand the postponement of these events will be a great disappointment for many people, particularly for students who also had ceremonies postponed in 2020; however, this is necessary to protect our students, loved ones, and colleagues from the spread of COVID-19," Professor Davidson said.
"The University is committed to offering our graduates and their loved ones a unique and memorable UOW graduation experience at the rescheduled ceremonies, in a new setting."
The postponement of the ceremonies does not delay students receiving their qualifications.
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