University celebrates graduates

The University of Auckland’s Autumn Graduation will see some 6,061 graduands receive 6,625 qualifications at the Aotea Centre, at ten ceremonies to be spread over three days (7, 9, 11 May). 4,852 will graduate in person and a further 1,209 will graduate in absentia.

Women graduands continue to outnumber men, with 3,603 females compared to 2458 males.

Of the graduates, 133 peple are gaining more than one qualification, and of those, 126 are gaining two, six are receiving three and one is gaining four. Doctorates are being awarded to 211 students.

This year, the oldest graduand is 88 and the youngest are 13 graduands aged 20. Also graduating are 764 Māori and Pasifika students, whose presence reflects the University’s unique place in the Pacific region.

On graduation days the formalities start with a street procession. After assembling at the University Pavilion, the large marquee on Old Government House grounds, at 9am each day, graduands, staff and Council members will progress onto Bowen Avenue and down Victoria Street East, then up Queen Street to Aotea Square.

Around 20,000 guests have tickets for the graduation ceremonies, which will also be webcast live.

Speakers at the ceremonies include Amelia Linzey, the technical director of Beca, 2018 Distinguished Alumni Robert McLeod, Former Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler and Dr Russell Wills, former Children’s Commissioner.