Graduation day! Speeches! Pictures! Parents smiling! Gatherings all around campus! A typical graduation ceremony at Al Akhawayn. But what truly awaits the class of 2020?
Amidst the 2020 pandemic, Morocco declared a national state emergency and implemented a total lockdown by March. Students at AUI were no longer allowed to access campus. The university switched to e-learning and adopted new policies. Loyal to its tradition, the university found itself unable to make a decision regarding its graduation ceremony since the country canceled all gatherings. Graduating students were given the choice to choose from three different scenarios:
- Stage a virtual graduation ceremony.
- Reschedule it for a later date when it is safe and feasible.
- Take part in the June 2021 commencement ceremony.
“Taking into account the current circumstances, having a graduation ceremony in June 2021 seems like the most feasible decision! I think the first option shouldn’t even be there!”
Tarik, an AUIer of Class 2020
Following the survey, allegations, and rumors circulated around Facebook groups owned by AUIers, claiming that the ceremony will take place until 2021 as well as further the eventualities of the long-awaited graduation ceremony.
The University’s Approach to the Graduation Ceremony
Al Akhwayn University decided to take more of an inclusive approach towards graduation by including students in the decision-making process. As mentioned before, an email and a survey were sent to express the administration’s willingness to take the right decision with the help of graduating students. Additionally, a virtual town hall with President Amine Bensaid was held on June 20th to have more of an open discussion and ensure that students’ voices were heard.
The conversation implied the President’s concern about the future of graduating students while mentioning AUI’s influence on the job market. However, the administration did not follow up regarding the ceremony nor the outcomes of the meeting. One could say that the meeting was more focusing on embellishing AUI’s image and reputation vis-à-vis the concerned students rather than finding a solution that would satisfy all the parties.
In this context, one of the concerned students, Oumaima, an AUIer of Class 2020, expressed the importance of a follow-up regarding the town hall since they graduated in special circumstances.
“We need support and guidance from the university as we are going through special times. Al Akhawayn must provide us equitable opportunities like the previous cohorts.”
Oumaima, an AUIer of Class 2020
Will a graduation ceremony still be held?
No one really knows the answer yet. The administration still has not responded nor made a decision. No follow-up was done after the town hall meeting with President Amine Bensaid. One could consider it a reckless move from the university as their indecisiveness has already led to more stress and anger among graduating students.
One could say that these are special circumstances and the university found itself facing many unprecedented challenges. To illustrate, Al Akhwayn has new priorities, such as accommodating incoming students on campus, developing tools for e-learning, etc. The global pandemic affected the institution heavily and shifted their priorities and methods. However, after 2 months, the university is still keeping its silent about the graduation ceremony and ignoring the negative wide-spread sentiment among students. Therefore, one can argue that their silence may imply the absence of graduating students from these new set priorities.
Finally, whether a decision is taken or not, graduating students hold all rights to demand a ceremony where their hard work and sleepless nights are well celebrated. After all, it is considered to be one of the most important milestones in the life of an AUIer. To answer the question, only uncertainty truly awaits graduating students. We live in unprecedented times and no one knows what the future holds.
From AUI Chronicle, we congratulate the class of 2020 for their hard work and well-earned diplomas. We wish you all the best and kudos to you for graduating during a global pandemic!
