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Wednesday 17 March 2021 8:54am

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For the first time since December 2019 there was an Otago graduation procession to the Dunedin Town Hall.

For Otago students, graduating in 2020 proved a somewhat impossible task with various obstacles derailing plans.

Earlier this month more than 200 students gathered together for an Acknowledgement Graduation Ceremony in lieu of cancelled events. It saw students celebrating with friends and family with most of the usual embellishments, on a smaller scale.

Organisers of the day breathed a sigh of relief at successfully reaching the important celebration without any hiccups.

“It was wonderful to see our graduates finally have the opportunity to celebrate and mark the occasion of their graduation with their family, friends and whanau. It was a very special day indeed,” Sonya Stewart, Group Leader – Student Administration says.

“Although we are slowly moving our way through the challenges of COVID-19, there will always be new challenges ahead. And when they come, remember, you are braver and stronger than you ever imagined.”

While it was a smaller graduation than previous years, there was no shortage of smiles and pride.

The ceremonial capping was the first time Otago students had walked across the Town Hall stage in regalia since December 2019.

The ceremony was also made special by the conferring of an honorary law doctorate to outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne.

At her final graduation ceremony for the University, Professor Hayne told graduates it was impossible to say anything which would stick with them for a lifetime. However, she wanted to impart some advice which might be helpful as they embarked on the next phase of their own life journeys.

Much of 2020 was “challenging, scary and difficult” but Professor Hayne realised the COVID-19 pandemic also taught her some valuable lessons.

It reminded her of the importance of physical and psychological contact with people in her life.

“So as you go forward on the next phase of your journey, I would strongly encourage you to hold hands and stick together. Form teams in your workplace and in your community. Make it your mission to find common ground with people around you.”

Professor Hayne encouraged graduates to not be afraid of life’s challenges.

“Although we are slowly moving our way through the challenges of COVID-19, there will always be new challenges ahead. And when they come, remember, you are braver and stronger than you ever imagined.”

More photos from the Acknowledgment Graduation Ceremony:

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Photo provided by Mcrobie Photographics Ltd.

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