Update: The university has announced that all graduation ceremonies currently scheduled will be postponed until Monday, 28 March 2022. This news comes shortly after talks between the university’s management and Organised Labour were concluded and resolved.
The Unisa Autumn 2022 Graduation season has kicked off… but right off the bat and straight into a rough patch.
The university hosted its first physical graduation ceremony of the season on 15 March 2022. However, due to an apparent fixture clash with members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) protesting during the university’s morning graduation ceremony at the ZK Matthews Hall in Pretoria, the rest of the scheduled ceremonies of the day plus ceremonies on 16 March were postponed.
Since then, the university has postponed all graduation ceremonies that were scheduled between the dates of 15 March 2022 to 22 March 2022.
Originally only the graduation ceremonies for 15 and 16 March 2022 were postponed until further decision. However, the university has since extended the postponements to 22 March, giving the university’s management enough time to hold talks with the union and possibly resolve any underlying issues as soon as possible.
Tshembani Baloyi, NEHAWU Unisa Secretary, spoke to 702 Radio and stated that it was not the union’s intention to interrupt the graduation ceremony. “We did not take any action that seeks to punish students because that would be irresponsible of us. Yesterday we book the venue to give feedback to workers only to find that the employer has also booked the same venue for graduations. They had double booked the venue.“, said Baloyi.
Additionally, NEHAWU Secretary Baloyi seemed surprised that the university reintroduced morning graduations without the union’s knowledge.
The university has issued apologies to all its graduates, guests, and stakeholders for any inconvenience caused. Alternative graduation arrangements will be made by the university, with further details on when the ceremonies will resume to be communicated at a later date.
Talks between the university and NEHAWU are currently in progress and it is hopeful that all issues are resolved and as such, return to normal proceedings.
Learners looking to learn more about the Unisa Autumn 2022 Graduation season can contact UNISA’s Division: Graduation at [email protected]. Alternatively, students can also contact Division: Graduation via the following address:
Division: Graduations
Room 5-12, OR Tambo Building
Unisa Muckleneuk Campus
PO Box 392
Unisa
0003
Also Read: How Do I Apply to Study at Unisa?
Last Updated: 22 March 2022
Hello I just want to find out about collection of HC certificate….can one wear graduation gown even though HC are not invited for ceremony when collecting the certificate??