A Historical Virtual Graduation
The Pacific Theological College created history by staging the first-ever virtual graduation of a higher learning institute in the Pacific Islands region.
Robin Yarrow, a society leader in Fiji described it as a ‘history making event that was so very well planned and executed.
‘In fact, it was an extra-ordinary occasion which utilised modern technology extremely well in connecting a wide range of PTC stakeholders while working within the constraints of the current COVID pandemic which our vast region is facing,’ Mr Yarrow said.
Mr Yarrow adds the graduation recognised and celebrated scholastic performance achieved during an
unprecedented year of uncertainty and multiple challenges.
Forty-eight students graduated at various levels – Certificates, Diplomas, Post Graduate Diplomas, Masters and with Doctoral degrees.
Seven hundred people, the world over, attended the ceremony that was held on Zoom and livestreamed on the College’s You Tube page.
PTC’s Dean of Academic Studies Dr. Darrell Cosden and the Registrar Ms. Selai Tuidrokadroka announced the graduate names at the livestream stage in Fiji.
Each name announcement prompted the graduates’ pictures with their award on the screen. Chairperson of the PTC Council and Executive Reverend Elder Dr. Leatulagi Faalevao then bestowed the academic awards from where he Zoomed in from, at the headquarters of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa.
Chief Guest Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba delivered her speech from the stage in Fiji as well as the Principal of PTC Reverend Professor Dr. Upolu Luma Vaai, his Annual Report.
Dr Stephen Garner, the Academic Dean and Senior Lecturer in Theology at Laidlaw College in New Zealand said he was encouraged by the graduation.
‘I am well aware that running any sort of college at the moment, and especially a theological college, is a complicated affair, but I was encouraged in my own role by the faithfulness and energy demonstrated today at the graduation,’ Dr Garner said.
The virtual ceremony lasted two hours.
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