GRADUATION INFORMATION
SPRING GRADUATION DATES 16 – 18 SEPTEMBER 2024.
VUT 2024 SPRING GRADUATION CEREMONIES
Dear Graduates receive our heartfelt congratulations on this important milestone in your academic career. This webpage is your go-to source for vital information and details about the upcoming graduation ceremonies. Please ensure that you thoroughly examine and comprehend the information provided this will ensure you have a seamless and unforgettable experience.
This communication holds official graduation information, and any unofficial details should be disregarded. The university will not be responsible for graduates who follow inaccurate information.
Live streaming for the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences
Live streaming for the Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Live streaming for the Faculty of Human Sciences
PROTOCOL FOR GUESTS AND GRADUANDS
When you arrive at the ceremony, report to the table in the foyer of the Great Desmond Tutu Hall one hour before the commencement of the ceremony to collect your seating card and guest tickets.
Collection of graduation regalia on campus.
Graduates must be seated 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Doors to the main hall will close promptly 30 minutes prior to the start time. LATECOMERS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE VENUE AFTER THE CEREMONY HAS STARTED THUS:
| ARRIVE BY | BE SEATED | SESSION START |
| 08:00 | 09:30 | 10:00 |
| 12:00 | 13:30 | 14:00 |
You may invite a maximum of two guests to attend the ceremony with you. We regret that no extra guests can be accommodated.
Strict security measures will be in place for the duration of the graduation ceremony. Please be advised that no persons will be allowed access to the ceremony without a ticket. Guests must be seated in the graduation venue at least 30 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Seats for guests are not reserved by name; ushers will be on standby to seat guests accordingly. Doors to the main hall will close promptly 30 minutes prior to the start time. Guests arriving after the ceremony has started will not be allowed into the venue, an overflow venue outside the main hall will be available for late comers.
Graduates must please keep their call out with them at all times as they need it when crossing the stage.
No children under the age of 10 are allowed into the Desmond Tutu Great Hall and no exceptions will be made.
Flash photography is not allowed in the Desmond Tutu Great Great Hall and cell phones must be switched off or on silent during the ceremony.
In keeping with the formal nature of our graduation ceremonies, we would like to remind you that the dress code is formal and respectable.
Inappropriate behavior towards University staff will not be tolerated and security staff may be requested to remove people who disrupt the proceedings at any stage.
GRADUATION ATTIRE
Information on how to hire/ purchase academic attire.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR ACADEMIC DRESS COMPLIES WITH THE UNIVERSITY’S SPECIFICATIONS FOR YOUR QUALIFICATION.
It is your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements for your academic dress for your graduation ceremony.
The university does not facilitate any arrangements in this regard. Please ensure that you order your academic dress in time for your graduation ceremony.
You may purchase or hire your academic attire from Dippenaar & Reinecke who are the official suppliers and they will provide the correct attire for your qualification.
Please see the enclosed order form on how to order or purchase your academic attire. To access the Dippenaar & Reinecke Order Form, please CLICK HERE
CEREMONY PROCEDURE
The student hands the Executive Dean the name card with the first qualification to be read. The candidates then proceed one after the other and hand the Executive Dean their name cards to be read.
Presentation of diploma’s
The Vice-Chancellor remains seated and only nods at the graduates.
Presentation of Advanced Diploma’s Masters & Doctoral degrees
The Vice-Chancellor then caps each Graduates with the hat (mortarboard) (placed in readiness on the kneeling bench) and shakes the Chancellors/Vice Chancellors hand the graduates then walk to the registrar, who will pose atop the platform to take the photograph, after which they leave the stage, receive their qualification certificates from the staff members seated next to the staircase and exit the hall.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR PERSONS WITH DIABILITIES
Should you or your guests have a disability and require assistance during the graduations, please make prior arrangements with the Exams and Graduations Office, to be suitably accommodated e.g. Blind, wheelchair users, Deaf persons requiring Sign Language interpreting, access to disability parking bays.
On the day of your graduation, exams and graduation staff at the venue will be available to assist you.
For general enquiries, please contact: Ms Mapolo Mofolo on mapolo@vut.ac.za , or Ms Nonku Xuza on nonkux@vut.ac.za .
ATTENDING THE CEREMONY
Admission cards for the ceremony must be collected on the day of the ceremony at the venue where gowns will be issued.
These cards must be shown at the hall entrance for admission. Please note that admission to the hall will be on a first-come, first-serve basis as space is limited.
Graduands should report at the right-hand door of the main entrance to the hall, where the admission card will be exchanged for a qualification card with a seat number.
You are requested to be seated 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. The doors will be closed 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Official photographers will be in attendance during and after the ceremony should you wish to have a photo taken in your academic dress.
NO OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE HALL. Hiring of academic wear will be done only on the day of the ceremony.
Dress code for the ceremonies is formal or decent Traditional. NO tackies or jeans allowed.
It is strongly recommended that men dress in dark suits and women in a comfortable dress length, with a comfortable shoe heel height, to reflect the solemnity of the occasion.
IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND THE CEREMONY
Students who are not present at the ceremony must pay an in absentia fee of R150.00
Certificates are issued to students after the graduation ceremony.
GRADUATION GUIDE
1. You must be dressed in your own gown with hood draped over your left arm. A member of the University personnel will signal when you should proceed to the stage.
2. You will hand your qualification card, kept in your right hand, to the Executive Dean of the relevant faculty, who will present you to the audience.
3. Proceed to the Vice-Chancellor, who will be seated in the middle of the stage.
3.1 If you are being awarded a Diploma: Turn and face the Vice-Chancellor for congratulation and handshake.
3.2 If you are being awarded a Degree: Turn to the Vice-Chancellor, kneel on the bench and bend your head towards the Vice- Chancellor.
4. Proceed to the Registrar, who will be standing on the left-hand side of the stage. Turning with your left shoulder, present the hood draped on your left arm to the Registrar and turn to face the audience. You will now be hooded by the Registrar.
The placing of the hood around your neck is official confirmation that your qualification has been conferred. Leave the stage on the left-hand side and receive your certificate in front of the stage. Proceed to your seat.
FAQ
