University graduates in the thousands

More than 7,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates are awarded annually at one university in Western Australia where the number of enrolled students exceed 28,000.The University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth holds more than twenty graduation ceremonies a year to cater to the large numbers who pass out. 

I attended the graduation of my grandson last week and was quite impressed with the way the ceremony was conducted to the planned time schedule. We were in the midst of a flash of colour both on the stage where the university academics sat and nearly half the hall where the degree holders were. They all wore their gowns (black cloaks) on top of which multi-coloured hoods were worn. Everyone wore the same style cap. The colours ranged from green, pink and red to yellow depending on the degrees they received. The academic staff wore their respective regalia depending on their post-graduate qualifications. 

Parents and close relations filled the rest of the hall.  Each degree holder was given two tickets for family members.

The impressive Winthrop Hall where the ceremony was held is named after the University’s first Chancellor Sir John Winthrop Hackett (1913). He was a leading WA politician, philanthropist, and activist proprietor of The West Australian newspaper.  The Hall can house over 1,500 in the Hall and over 150 on the stage.  A booklet issued to everyone attending the graduation ceremony carries information relating to the Convocation in addition to the names of all those who received their degrees that day. I particularly found a note titled ‘Your UWA Community’ interesting. It congratulates the graduates and welcomes them to UWA’s global community. “The bond between UWA graduates is strong. It opens doors, launches careers and sparks lifelong friendships,” it says. 

“No matter where you go, you’ll find yourself in the company of inspiring UWA graduates who will be your role models, mentors, collaborators and friends. Just remember, we can do more together than we can alone.” Words of reassurance and inspiration, indeed!

It outlines five ways to stay involved:

nLead: in ways that reflect your passions. Bring together other graduates to achieve great things.

nLearn: through events and UWA pathways. 

nNetwork: at gatherings and through social media with a powerful global alumni community more than 118,000 strong.

nVolunteer: organise a union, be a mentor, share your time and talent for an important cause.

nGive: the Alumni Fund is tour fund – your difference to make.

Possibly useful hints for our universities to follow for the benefit of both graduates as well as the institution. 

‘Seek Wisdom’

In his message, present Chancellor, Dr Michael Chaney goes back to the early days of UWA now counting over a century. “The purpose of the University was to provide instruction in ‘practical and liberal studies’ which would help the State’s fledgling economy and thereby ‘advance the prosperity and welfare of the people’. Its motto has been, since those early days, ‘Seek Wisdom’.”

Reminding that the University started off with 184 students on 31 March 1913 in simple timber and iron huts, he adds that from humble beginnings, UWA innovation, knowledge and expertise has helped transform the State into a national economic powerhouse, fuelled the imagination of thousands of researchers and equipped more than 130,000 highly-skilled graduates to contribute to society.

Today UWA has been named as one of the world’s top 100 universities.