Students from TAFE Queensland’s Bundaberg campus will celebrate their graduation with family and friends in the comfort of their own home, after the unpredictability of COVID-19 restrictions pushed organisers to get creative.
Eighty students from TAFE Queensland’s Bundaberg campus will mark the culmination of their studies and the beginning of their new careers with a special virtual graduation ceremony, which is due to launch tomorrow, Friday 18 December 2020.
TAFE Queensland General Manager (East Coast) Ana Rodger said that while the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 had made it difficult to arrange a face-to-face celebration for students and their loved ones this year, TAFE Queensland wanted to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of its students.
“Graduation is a rite of passage that everyone deserves the opportunity to celebrate,” Mrs Rodger said.
“This year has been a challenging one for our students, with restrictions requiring them to rapidly adapt to change and, for many, a whole new way of learning. Despite the curveballs, our students have accomplished so much and we want to congratulate them on their efforts and recognise their incredible achievement in a way they can still share with their loved ones.”
Ms Rodger said the pre-recorded ceremony will feature all the hallmarks of a typical TAFE Queensland graduation, but has the added benefit of providing students with a keepsake of the milestone.
“We’ve done everything we can to ensure the virtual ceremony is as close to our face-to-face event as possible, but we have also added a few extra touches to make it just that little bit more special, including congratulatory messages from our teachers and a photo montage of the graduating students,” Ms Rodger said.
“We also gifted graduands a mortarboard and celebration pack, and arranged a professional photoshoot at the campus so students have a memento of the special occasion.”
Students will graduate from a variety of study areas, including business, hair and beauty, automotive and engineering, nursing and aged care, early childhood education and care, education support, carpentry, electrical, and hospitality.
Sasha Tagg completed a Diploma of Youth Work online this year and is among the students who will be included in the 2020 virtual graduation. Having now secured full time employment in her chosen field in Agnes Water, Ms Tagg said the virtual ceremony meant she was able to be involved in celebrations from afar.
“I’m stoked to have graduated and while I now have my head down with work, it’s nice to know this is happening and that I can be a part of it and share it with my parents as well,” Ms Tagg said.
“The virtual ceremony actually works better for me than having to be somewhere at a certain time on a certain date, as this way allows me to still be involved and watch the ceremony whenever it suits me and my schedule.”
For more information about TAFE Queensland’s courses or to kick-start your career, visit the website or call 1300 308 233, and see where TAFE can take you.
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