The celebration is about recognising not only the hard work and commitment graduates have made to their studies but also the sacrifice and commitment of their family members who have supported their goals and dreams.
Apply for Pacific Graduation Celebration
After you have applied to graduate and have had this confirmed, you will recieve an email from the Pacific Development Team in the lead up to Graduation week with an invitation to attend the Pacific Graduation ceremony. You must confirm in that email whether you are attending and you will also be asked how many guests you intend to bring (guest tickets are variable depending on spacing in the venue).
You will then receive an email with additional information in preparation for the Pacific Graduation ceremony.
For any queries please contact the Pacific Engagement Coordinator: Ray Stowers (Raymond.stowers@canterbury.ac.nz)
Autumn and Spring Graduation:
UC holds two Pacific Graduation Celebrations throughout the year, these events are held during the Autumn and Spring mid-semester breaks.
Future Pacific Graduation Celebration Dates:
9th April 2025*
27th August 2025*
*Please note these dates are subject to change
On confirmation, graduates are eligible for up to five complimentary tickets; one for yourself and four (4) for guests. Please confirm as soon as possible by emailing (raymond.stowers@canterbury.ac.nz) and by following the link that was sent to your email.
Please let us know through the form link sent to your email if you do not require all 5 complimentary tickets, so they can be redistributed.
* guest tickets are variable depending on spacing in the venue.
We ask graduates to arrive at the venue 45 minutes prior to the ceremony as there will be a briefing of the programme beforehand.
To honour our graduates and to allow you to acknowledge your families properly, we provide all guests with a Graduate Booklet. We ask that you submit a 300 – 400 word statement that sums up your time here at UC, as well as a high-quality photo of yourself (extra photo’s may be included). You can use this as an opportunity to thank any friends or family for their support, and also to give advice to other students.
Please send your photo and statement to Eboni (eboni.hill@canterbury.ac.nz)
Due to printing requirements, we cannot guarantee that late submissions will be included.
Please also indicate if we can use your blurb in the UC student blogs and on our Facebook page.
The programme will start with a blessing followed by a formal UC Welcome by our Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific, Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva. Graduands and graduates will be called up to receive a Certificate of Acknowledgment. Graduands are given an opportunity to speak, we have keynote speeches by Pacific leaders and then enjoy dinner together.
Graduates are required to wear academic regalia to the Graduation Celebration. If your graduation ceremony is the day before Pacific Graduation Celebration, please contact Graduate Women Canterbury (03 369 0604) to ask to extend the hiring of your regalia.
We will have a photo area where you and your family can have your photos taken.
You are welcome to bring your children, but please note for seating purposes, children will count towards your tickets allocated to you.
Please note we do not provide high chairs. This will be the responsibilty of the graduate and their family.
Dress code for this event is semi-formal. Graduates are expected to wear their academic regalia.
We encourage our graduands and graduates to wear any culture attire you may have for our Pacific Graduation celebration.
- Application for hire of academic regalia Graduate Women Canterbury (03 369 0604), UC Dovedale Campus, Cnr Dovedale & Solway Ave, Ilam, Christchurch 8041.
- Request an extension on the hire of academic regalia to attend the Pasifika Graduation Celebration.
- Confirm attendance to the Pacific Graduation Celebration – please email Ray.
- Confirm the number of people you will be in attendance with.
- Inform Ray if you wish to bring your children.
- Send your blurb and photo to Eboni - eboni.hill@canterbury.ac.nz
For more information please contact Ray Stowers - raymond.stowers@canterbury.ac.nz or 369-5295 ext: 95295
