Mekete ya dikapeso
The University Graduation Portal is your step-by-step guide for information and details about the upcoming graduation ceremonies.
Announcements
Save the Date: Autumn Graduations will take place from 7-12 April 2025.
Mekete ya dikapeso
Dear Graduands, we offer our heartfelt congratulations on this important milestone in your academic career. This webpage is your step-by-step guide for information and details about the upcoming graduation ceremonies. Please ensure that you thoroughly examine and comprehend the information provided; this will ensure that you have a seamless and unforgettable experience.
This communication contains official graduation information; any unofficial details should be disregarded. The university is not responsible for graduates who follow inaccurate information.
When you arrive at the ceremony, report to the table in the foyer of the graduation venue at the Great Desmond Tutu Hall one (1) hour before the ceremony commences to collect your seating card and three guest tickets.
Graduands must be seated 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Doors to the graduation venue will close promptly 30 minutes before the start time.
LATECOMERS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE VENUE AFTER THE CEREMONY HAS STARTED THUS:
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ARRIVE BY | BE SEATED | SESSION START |
07:00 | 08:30 | 09:00 |
11:00 | 12:30 | 13:00 |
15:00 | 16:30 | 17:00 |
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You may invite a maximum of two (2) guests to attend the ceremony with you. We regret that we cannot accommodate extra guests.
Strict security measures will be in place during the graduation ceremony. Please be advised that no person can access the graduation venue without a ticket. Guests must be seated at least 30 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Guests’ seats are not reserved by name; ushers will be on standby to seat guests accordingly. The graduation venue’s doors will close promptly 30 minutes before the start time. Guests arriving after the ceremony has started will not be allowed into the venue.
Graduands must please keep their callout cards with them at all times, as they need them when crossing the stage.
No children under the age of 7 are allowed into the graduation venue, and regrettably, no exceptions will be made.
Flash photography is prohibited in the graduation venue, and mobile phones must be switched off or on silent during the ceremony.
In keeping with the formal nature of our graduation ceremonies, we want to remind you that the dress code for graduands and guests is formal and respectable.
Inappropriate behaviour towards university staff will not be tolerated, and security guards may be requested to remove people who disrupt the proceedings at any stage.
The graduate hands the name card to the Executive Dean with the first qualification to be read. The graduates then proceed one after the other and give 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 Graduand with the hat (mortarboard) (placed in readiness on the kneeling bench) and shakes the Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor’s hand.
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The graduates then walk to the Registrar, who is standing on the platform. The graduate stands in front of the Registrar, facing the photographer. The Registrar places the band over the graduate, and both wait two seconds for the photo to be taken. The graduates then leave the stage and receive their qualification certificates from the staff seated next to the staircase.
Thereafter, graduates must return to their seats, except for Nursing students, who will receive their lamps and move to the allocated area to take their vows.
Arrangement for Persons with Disabilities
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., for blind, wheelchair users, deaf persons requiring Sign Language interpreting, or access to the disability parking bays.Â
Exams and Graduation Office staff will be available to assist you on the day of your graduation.
For general inquiries, please contact: Ms. Mapolo Mofolo at mapolom@vut.ac.za, or Ms. Nonku Xuza at nonkux@vut.ac.za.
GRADUATION ATTIRE (Dippenaar & Reinecke to provide academic attire descriptions)
Information on how to hire/purchase academic attire.
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR ACADEMIC ATTIRE COMPLIES WITH THE UNIVERSITY’S SPECIFICATIONS FOR YOUR QUALIFICATION.
You are responsible for making the necessary arrangements for your academic attire for your graduation ceremony. Â The university does not facilitate any arrangements in this regard. Please order your academic attire in time for your graduation ceremony.
You may purchase or hire your academic attire from Dippenaar & Reinecke, the official supplier. They will provide the correct attire for your qualification.
Please see the enclosed order form on how to order or purchase your academic attire.
Click below to access the Dippenaar & Reinecke Order Form.
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Photographic Services
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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
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.
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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.
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Photographic Services
