Gowns Flying, Whānau Crying—It Must Be Te Herenga Waka Graduation Week
With over 2,600 graduates, two parades, and eight ceremonies, this May graduation will fill Wellington's streets with cloaked and capped graduates.
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's graduates will honour the community that saw them through and the connections they have made, as they cross the stage.
Among those crossing the stage this graduation will be Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, our first Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika), who is being awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature, after leaving her position at the start of this year.
The inaugural recipients of our Master of Criminology, as well as an early graduate of the Bachelor of Global Studies, will also be graduating in the May ceremonies.
Parades on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 May will see graduates walk from the Government Buildings to Queens Wharf Square, before our ceremonies are held at Michael Fowler Centre.
'This is a time to recognise academic achievement, but also to acknowledge the perseverance and resilience it has taken our graduates to achieve their goals.
'We are in a time of global change, but our graduates have developed values and relationships that will sustain them throughout their lives,' says Chancellor Alan Judge, who will preside over graduation for the first time in his new role.
'To our graduates—our future leaders and innovators, I look forward to walking alongside as you lead us into the future with creativity, empathy, and determination,' says Mr Judge.
The University will award PhDs to 50 graduates at the May ceremony. These graduates have added significantly to research in their fields, across the sciences, social sciences, arts, and beyond.
Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says this cohort of graduates deserve every moment of praise for their incredible accomplishments.
"Our graduates are wonderful ambassadors for the remarkable work taking place at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. The impact of our university on society is significant, and we are proud to see our graduates take their skills, connections, and commitment to community into the public, creative, and commercial sectors that underpin our society.
'I look forward to witnessing the contributions they will make as they join our global network of 150,000 alumni. Congratulations to all our graduates — we celebrate your achievements and look forward to your future successes."
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