CPUT will be conferring diplomas and degrees on 440 graduates during our SMART graduation on 16 December 2020.

While the Summer Graduation series usually takes place at this time of the year, the restriction on mass gatherings brought about by the national lockdown means that the ceremony can only take place digitally.

Digital graduation ceremonies differ from virtual graduations by lending a more personal touch. Individual students will be recognised by having their qualifications conferred upon them instead of a blanket conferral of all qualifications.

Graduates will be invited to upload a photo and personal message onto our portal. These messages and photos will be displayed on the screen along with the name, qualification, and, where applicable, cum laude status when the Faculty Dean announces the graduates’ name.

Graduates and their families will be able to watch the ceremonies on several platforms.

A special SMART Graduation website will also be created that will enable the graduates to download the ceremony video, a personalised slide with photo, message and qualification and official graduation programme.

“Graduation is one of the most important events on the university’s calendar but, like tertiary institutions around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the institution to find an alternative to a traditional ceremony,” said Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo. “As such, we are planning an online celebration of 2020 graduates so that they can remotely share this moment with their family, friends, and community.”

The graduates include 43 Master’s graduates and nine who have earned their doctorates.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT will be celebrating the dedication and hard work of 1 209 graduates during our first-ever digital graduation on June 25.

The Autumn Graduation series traditionally takes place in April but the restriction on mass gatherings and the lockdown meant that the ceremony could not take place.

Digital graduation ceremonies differ from virtual graduations by lending a more personal touch. Individual students will be recognised by having their qualifications conferred upon them instead of a blanket conferral of all qualifications.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said great effort was made to make the graduation more than just a blanket conferral.
“We wanted to ensure that all graduates were recognised properly,” he said.
“Graduations are one of the highlights of the academic calendar and we wanted to celebrate it appropriately.”    

The ceremonies will be customised with a picture of the graduate and a personalised message. The slide will the downloadable and sharable.

The ceremonies can be viewed on the CPUT YouTube channel, under the Digital Graduation 2020 playlist from 10 am. It can also be viewed on the Digital Graduation web page: https://bit.ly/3euT7BV

The graduates include 113 Masters graduates and 21 who have earned their doctorates.

Graduates can use the hashtag #CPUTDigitalGrad on social media posts.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT will be celebrating the success of hundreds of graduates during two digital graduation ceremonies later this month.

Graduation is one of the most important events on the university’s calendar but, like tertiary institutions around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the institution to find an alternative to a traditional ceremony.

The two ceremonies will be held on 25 June 2020, with the first scheduled for 10:00 and the second for 14:00.

Digital graduation ceremonies differ from virtual graduations by lending a more personal touch.

Individual students will be recognised by having their qualifications conferred upon them instead of blanket conferral of all qualifications.

“Actual ceremonies will be taking place but with no graduates or audience present. This is due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and a prohibition on events of more than 50 people.

“Students will be invited to upload a photo and personal message onto our portal. These messages and photos will be displayed on screen along with the name, qualification, and, where applicable, cum laude status when the Dean reads out the graduates’ name,” said Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department.

Graduates and their families will be able to watch the ceremonies on several platforms. Details will be announced closer to the time.

A special Digital Graduation website will also be created that will enable the graduates to download the ceremony video, a personalised slide with photo, message and qualification and official graduation programme. More details will soon be announced.

Students can register their details at https://tinyurl.com/r5uk4ck before June 15 or check your @mycput mailbox for an email from Marching Order. The support email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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