Th convocation ceremony has a special place in our rite of passage. In US, it is a fun party. In UK it is tradition filled. In the east, it is a serious event. It is grand display of hierarchy, pageantry, tradition and history. It is the culmination of a journey. It is a celebration of success in overcoming challenges especially for the poor. It is a life event that is captured for posterity. It is definitely an instagrammable moment. It is day full of roses, gifts and congratulations. It also marks the end of parental and state support and the start of resume writing! Unfortunately, it is also day packed with stale and boring speeches by university leaders.
The Covid cohort is graduating with none of this gala and pomp. None of the grand celebration. They just received an envelope with the scroll and the final transcript. It is an harbinger of the higher education of the future - a series of digital badges and a digital credential that arrives via email. It is just an note. It is sad!
