Cardiff University have confirmed that students will receive individual recognition at their graduation this summer after original plans to hold mass ceremonies at the Principality Stadium drew widespread criticism. Last year, it was announced that ceremonies for the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 would take place at the 73,000 stadium in Cardiff in July, having been postponed for the last two years due to the pandemic.
Graduates were told that they would not cross the stage at the "unique" evening ceremonies and would instead "stand and celebrate as a school from your place on the pitch," missing out on the individual recognition that those in preceding years received. Students are also set to be seated in front of the main stage area while guests watch from the stands. Read more stories from across Cardiff here.
Following the announcement, a petition was launched by students at the university to "give graduates the graduation they deserve". Now signed by more than 5,000 people, it reads: "If you've read the graduation schedule you'll have noticed that not only do we not get to do the one staple of graduation – going up onto the stage to receive your award – but instead of being congratulated individually we'll be congratulated amongst the entire block of our individual schools (i.e. likely 1k+). This is not standard, and it's more Cardiff going out of their way, as usual, to diminish the student experience."
