THOUSANDS of visitors are arriving in Armidale this week as the University of New England rolls out its largest graduation, bringing a significant surge in economic activity to the region.
More than 2500 students will graduate across six ceremonies, held between May 4 and 9, with around 1200 attending in person.
Each graduate typically brings up to three guests, and UNE expects several thousand visitors to flow to the region, supporting local accommodation, hospitality and retail businesses.
The new, week-long graduation format is a strategic shift away from UNE traditional two-day ceremony weekend as the new model ensures that every disciplinary field receives its own vibrant, dedicated event.
UNE Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Moran, said the new format, Autumn Graduation, is also a practical response to student feedback and regional capacity.
“Traditionally, we saw uneven concentrations of graduates, which put immense pressure on local accommodation and dining during a single weekend,” Professor Moran said.
“By spreading the ceremonies across an entire week, we improve the experience for our graduates and give Armidale businesses the predictability they need to manage staffing and services.
“We are looking forward to this linkage to the community and local businesses. It’s celebrations such as these which increase the overall success of Armidale.”
The format further addresses longstanding feedback about outdoor summer ceremonies, with Graduation Week now held in autumn to provide more comfortable conditions for visitors on campus.
Ceremonies will recognise graduates from all UNE’s schools: Science and Technology; Environmental and Rural Science; Business and Law; Rural Medicine; Psychology; Health; Education; and Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
The cohort includes 96 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates, among them 18 postgraduate students and two doctoral scholars.
Graduation Week will also feature a strong line-up of guest speakers, including former High Court Justice Michael Kirby, healthcare leader Sarah Brown, humanitarian leader Abinesh Narain and regenerative agriculture advocate Lorraine Gordon.
In addition, the University will confer four Honorary Doctorates and recognise outstanding alumni for their contributions across a range of fields.
Planning for the expanded program has been underway for more than 18 months, with the University working closely with Armidale Regional Council and local businesses to enable them to plan accordingly for the expected influx of visitors.
Weather permitting, the graduation ceremonies will take place on the lawns of Booloominbah, with the public invited to attend and share in the celebrations.
All ceremonies start at 10.30am and can be viewed live via UNE Facebook and UNE YouTube on the day of the event.
