Since the outbreak of Coronavirus in the Netherlands and the subsequent intelligent lock-down measures established by the Dutch Government, UCR has been considering our options for the Summer graduation of 2020. When it became apparent that no large-scale events could be held until at least September this year, we committed ourselves to create and deliver the best (and safest) graduation event we possibly could.
After months of planning, and as previously scheduled, graduation finally took place on June 12th. A high-tech setup in the much-loved Burgerzaal, with 7 staff and 5 technicians present, enabled more than 100 graduates to join the event live through Zoom.
From the comfort of their homes or campus locations, graduates were able to experience a mix of pre-recorded videos and real-time moments which included, a virtual academic procession through Middelburg, a farewell address by Dean Bert van den Brink, speeches from alumna Samantha Rijkers and Valedictorian Farina Shaaban, and choir and music performances. The highlight of the event however was the conferring of degrees, during which each graduate’s Zoom video was pinned for all to see, while his/her future plans were read out.
Normally, graduates only get to invite a few guests to attend the ceremony with them. With our online graduation event, we were able to live stream the entire event. Our graduates were therefore able to invite as many friends and relatives as possible to share in their special moment. At its peak, the live event was watched by over 400 people from across the globe.
Watch again
If you missed the graduation event or simply would like to watch it again, this is your chance.