Twelve students invited family and friends to witness them go from graduand to graduates at The View.
Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink was invited as the guest of honour to hand over their certificates.
Philosophy graduate from Cardiff University, Oceane Chandler, said: ‘Everyone was really upset when ceremonies were cancelled. After three years of stress at uni we wanted to mark the occasion with something more than a certificate in the post.’
International business graduate from the University of Sussex Charlotte Hames said: ‘We got together to plan an event to mirror a real graduation ceremony as much as possible. We ordered gowns and mortarboards from Amazon and designed our own certificates.’
The group were delighted that Dr Brink was able to attend and present the scrolls.
University of Brighton architecture graduate Mella Mooney said: ‘Universities have famous commencement speakers to address their graduates, but, for us, there was no one better than our own local celebrity, Dr Brink, whose expertise in virus control and calm direction has meant that we can be all together in Guernsey to celebrate.’
All guests in attendance were addressed by Dr Brink, who said how wonderful it was for students to be able to mark such an important milestone.
Then the graduates performed the traditional mortarboard throwing, considered a much-loved rite of passage for many students.
University of East Anglia business graduate Morgan James gave the valedictory speech.
‘It was the best graduation we could ever have hoped for. In some ways it was even better, as celebrating with all my Guernsey friends and their parents made it extra special.
‘Plus my university has banned mortarboard throwing on health and safety grounds. We have to mime throwing them and then have hats added digitally after – at least we were able to throw them here,’ Miss James said.
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