Cardiff Metropolitan University marks end of the academic year with University-wide celebration and digital Eisteddfod
Cardiff Met is recognising the achievements of its entire community with a week-long online celebration and virtual Eisteddfod, in place of the eight graduation ceremonies at the Wales Millennium Centre that are postponed due to Covid-19.
Keen not to deny students the ceremonial kudos that comes with studying for a university qualification, this year’s graduating students will instead be invited to cross the stage in 2021.
In the meantime, and in recognition of the huge efforts of students and staff during the pandemic, the week-long series of virtual events shines a light on the work of the entire University community during the last 12 months.
From students who’ve overcome learning difficulties to gain First Class Honours, to those who’ve helped on the front line during the coronavirus pandemic, and a specially composed anthem by one of the Class of 2020, for the Class of 2020, #MetUsCelebrate showcases the resilience, perseverance and determination of its students, staff and the wider community.
Extending the celebrations, Student Recruitment staff are hosting a week-long virtual Eisteddfod, including a virtual sports day, creative scavenger hunt and hackathon. Other events include nods to the Welsh Eisteddfod tradition, the Olympic Games and the annual ‘Get Creative’ campaign, with schools and collages from across the UK invited to represent their institutions for one last time this academic year.
Cardiff Met President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cara Aitchison, said: “Graduation is a ceremonial occasion that Cardiff Met students have experienced for over 150 years. The Class of 2020 will be no different and will have the opportunity to share in the pageantry of a graduation day with family, friends and their cohort of students next summer when we hope it will be safe to do so.
“Gaining a degree in normal circumstances is a huge achievement; doing so during a pandemic is even more remarkable. The last 16 weeks have demonstrated the resilience, determination and sheer willpower that each and every one of our students possesses and I am proud to see what they’ve been able to achieve.
“Our online celebration will highlight the achievements of students and staff, who’ve often faced challenges beyond what’s normally expected of them, and I hope that as many people as possible get involved. I’m grateful for everybody’s efforts during the 2019/20 academic year and am immensely proud of the University I represent."
”Amy Knight, who suffers from dyspraxia, and was recently awarded First Class Honours, said: “I have loved my time at Cardiff Met. People really understood my struggles and wanted me to succeed. Getting a First is remarkable – and it’s made all the more special considering my mum was the first ever person to get a First on her BSc Nutrition and Dietetics course, some 33 years ago in 1987, at what was then known as the South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education.”Amy Knight, who suffers from dyspraxia, and was recently awarded First Class Honours, said: “I have loved my time at Cardiff Met. People really understood my struggles and wanted me to succeed. Getting a First is remarkable – and it’s made all the more special considering my mum was the first ever person to get a First on her BSc Nutrition and Dietetics course, some 33 years ago in 1987, at what was then known as the South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education.”
For further information or to arrange an interview in English or Welsh please contact: mhscott@cardiffmet.ac.uk / 029 2041 6163
Notes to Editor:
- #MetUsCelebrate includes a series of on and off-line events, culminating in a virtual ‘Celebration Dinner’ on Thursday 16th July. www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/celebrate
- Graduation Ceremonies for 2020 students have been postponed until 2021, when the Class of 2020 graduates will be reunited and honoured with their cohorts.
- The week-long virtual Eisteddfod includes a Tregaron to Tokyo relay race, traditional stage competitions, creative challenges, a mini Olympics and an awards day. For more information https://twitter.com/CardiffMetSCL
About Cardiff Metropolitan University:
- Cardiff Met has a strong purpose - to deliver high quality and high impact practice-focused and professionally recognised education, research and innovation in partnership with our students and industry.
- Part of the offering to students is the 'Cardiff Met EDGE' - a core offering that enables every single student to develop Ethical, Digital, Global and Entrepreneurial skills, experience, knowledge, confidence and resilience.
- Cardiff Met incorporates five academic schools across two sites at Llandaff and Cyncoed in Cardiff: Cardiff School of Art and Design; Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences; Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy; Cardiff School of Management, and Cardiff School of Technologies as well as the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre and the International Centre for Design Research (PDR).
- Cardiff Metropolitan University has over 20,000 students from 143 countries and including over 9,000 students based at 14 Transnational Education Partnerships around the globe where students are studying Cardiff Met degrees
- The University has a long-established record for student employability with 96% of graduates securing employment or entering further study within six months of graduation (DLHE 2017).
- 2019 National Student Survey (NSS) revealed 85% (1% above the national average) of Cardiff Met final year undergraduates were satisfied with their overall student experience, with the number of courses achieving 100% overall satisfaction increasing from five to seven and those with 90% and above overall satisfaction.
- The University is the first in Wales to be awarded both the prestigious Small Business Charter and the Social Enterprise mark in recognition of its work with business, and its commitment to supporting students in enterprise and entrepreneurship activities.
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