Nearly 6000 graduating

2 May 2007

Some 5928 students will graduate from The University of Auckland this week and next during Autumn Graduation.

They will receive a total of 6571 qualifications at 13 ceremonies spread over four days (3, 7, 9, 11 May).

The Faculty of Business and Economics has the most graduates with 1517 followed by Arts (1132), Science (1131) and Education (1044).

There are 516 in Medical and Health Sciences, 504 in Engineering, 435 in Creative Arts and Industries, 267 in Law and 25 in Theology.

The timings for the 9th May Graduation are as follows;

• 8.00am Graduands, their guests, and staff attend a Faculty breakfast in the Marquee in the Old Government House grounds.
• 9.30am Street procession (graduands and staff) from Old Government House to Town Hall (assembles from 9.15am, departs 9.45am)
• 10:45am Ceremony 8 (Education degrees (excluding BSocSci(Human Services), BSW) A - Z
• 1:15pm Ceremony 9 (Bachelor of Social Sciences (Human Services) A - Z, Bachelor of Social Work A - Z, Education diplomas A - Z)

In time-honoured tradition, graduands and staff will process through the city in colourful academic regalia from 10am on each graduation day (along Princes Street, Bowen Avenue, Victoria Street East and up Queen Street to the Auckland Town Hall).

Chancellor Hugh Fletcher will personally confer 5097 degrees and diplomas. The rest (1474) will be bestowed "in absentia" on those not attending.

Some 105 graduates will receive doctorates while teaching excellence awards will be presented to seven staff.

Speakers at the ceremonies include Dr Alan Bollard, Governor of the Reserve Bank; Dr Rodney Wilson, Director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum; Judge Andrew Becroft, the Principal Youth Court Judge; Christine Fernyhough; and theologian Professor Lloyd Geering.

Graduation culminates in a free Gala Concert and Concerto Competition in the Town Hall on Friday 11 May at 7.30pm. This will showcase three prize-winning School of Music students, accompanied by the University of Auckland Chamber Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Uwe Grodd.