News | 23 July 2021
After making the difficult, but necessary, decision to postpone Graduation Ceremonies during the coronavirus pandemic, Cardiff Metropolitan University has today [Friday 23 July] announced a return to the university tradition, marking the successes of graduates from 2020, 2021 and 2022 at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre from April 2022.
The traditional Graduation ceremonies were paused during the pandemic, and for the first time in Cardiff Met's 155-year history, as social distancing restrictions meant that the ceremonies could not be hosted safely.
Responding to student feedback when ceremonies had to be cancelled last year, the University committed to a return to the traditional ceremonies as early as possible. While some universities have opted for virtual graduation ceremonies during the pandemic, the close-knit community of Cardiff Met students felt this would be too much of a compromise.
Working with partners at the Wales Millennium Centre, the University has now been able to confirm dates that all ceremonies that would have taken place in July 2020 and July 2021 will now take place in April 2022. The University will then return to the normal schedule in July 2022 when next year's graduates will cross the stage at the Wales Millennium Centre on the dates originally scheduled for the week of 18th July 2022, subject to all Welsh Government Covid-related restrictions being lifted at the time.
Speaking about the planned return, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cara Aitchison, said: "Cardiff Met students have been crossing the Graduation stage for over 150 years, and those who completed their degrees in 2020 and 2021 will be no different.
"We made a commitment at the height of the pandemic that all students completing in 2020 and 2021 would be invited to a full Graduation Ceremony at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre with family, friends and their cohort as soon as it was safe to do so, and I'm delighted we can now press ahead with plans for a busy, yet joyous series of celebrations in 2022.
"Graduation Day is such a significant life event, and our students have already missed out on so many events over the last two years, that we want to make this a special day for them and their families.
"I look forward to sharing those special days with our graduates and with our staff where I will also want to recognise and pay tribute to their enormous efforts too over the last two academic years. It's been a difficult two years for everyone and it's important that we mark the very many achievements of students and staff at these ceremonies in 2022."
Sian Morgan, Director of Development and Partnerships at Wales Millennium Centre said: “We are delighted to welcome Cardiff Met’s graduation ceremonies back to our building, celebrating the achievements of young people. It will be wonderful to see the graduates celebrating their success with their friends and families in and outside our iconic building.
"Cardiff Met’s support as our partner continues to make a difference to lives across Wales, as we continue our work as the national arts centre, firing imaginations and nurturing creativity with communities, creatives and young people."
Graduation Ceremonies dates and booking details
Graduating Class of 2020
April 11, Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy
April 11, Cardiff School of Art & Design
April 11, Cardiff School of Technologies
April 12, Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences
April 13, Cardiff School of Management
Booking opens, September 2021: www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/graduation
Graduating Class of 2021
April 25, Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy
April 26, Cardiff School of Management
April 27, Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences
April 29, Cardiff School of Art & Design
April 29, Cardiff School of Technologies
Booking opens, September 2021: www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/graduation
Graduating Class of 2022
July 18-22 with details of individual ceremonies to be finalised.
Booking opens, early 2022: www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/graduation
