The challenge

In 2020 the education sector was hugely disrupted. Millions of students across the world missed out on celebrating their academic achievements in a way that they deserved. Many were postponed to the following year, which caused logistical issues for universities. Many graduates were also reluctant to return for the ceremony as they had moved away or had moved on. The gap between graduating and celebrating was simply too large. The only solution was to celebrate online. The problem with this is that the only video streaming solutions available came with their limitations. Ultimately graduates, family and friends felt like they did not receive the ceremony they deserved. But out of every challenge comes an opportunity. Both students and graduates recognise the need to incorporate digital aspects into university events in some way. Many positives and opportunities came out of an unfortunate situation.

Digital is inclusive

Incorporating a digital solution allows a physical event to be more sustainable and inclusive. Adding a digital choice to attend allows international students or those who live far away to celebrate virtually without having to go through unnecessary travel if they don't wish to. A restriction with physical graduations is the limitation on tickets. Graduates often have to choose two or three members of the family to join them at the ceremony. Often graduates have many family members that have been invested in their education and wish to celebrate with them and their family members are unable to attend due to ticket limitations or travel restrictions. Incorporating a digital solution allows additional friends and family to connect, celebrate and follow the ceremony no matter where they are in the world. Not only is a digital option more inclusive for extended family and friends, but the choice is also more inclusive for the graduates themselves. You are giving them the choice of whether they want to attend the physical event or celebrate virtually.

The solution

We've established a need for providing digital aspects to graduation ceremonies but simply sending out a link to join a video call isn't providing a great digital experience. What does the Graduation Room do specifically that standard digital event platforms don't do? The Graduation Room is an innovative virtual event venue dedicated to enhancing the graduation experience. The software has been purposely built as an addition to the live event allowing graduates to celebrate one of their most significant life achievements with friends and family across the world. The Graduation Room allows virtual attendees to enter the virtual venue, stream the live ceremony, video call and message their peers and share photos on a photowall. Attendees can interact with guests in their virtual group or move across the room and engage with attendees in other groups. It provides a fully connected and interactive experience for graduates and their guest attendees regardless of their locations.

The Graduation Room not only provides endless capabilities for graduates to engage but also provides additional revenue streams and promotional channels for universities. Universities can display prospectuses and promote other university courses to friends and siblings that may attend. It provides the opportunity to promote the university’s Alumni programs and postgraduate courses. Guests can connect with university careers personnel or lecturers in real time. Ultimately The Graduation Room connects everyone, anytime, anywhere. It provides the university with the ability to have a fully green, carbon neutral solution for their graduation ceremony delivery.

The Graduation Room sets no limits on who can join in the celebrations and how people choose to celebrate. The future of events is digital and hybrid and experiences shouldn’t be compromised.

Claire Singleton

Marketing Manager

Evessio for Universities

Claire is the Marketing Manager at Evessio, an industry-leading event management platform for awards, conferences and exhibitions. Claire has years of experience and specialises in marketing event software, marketing events and sponsorship. Claire has a proven track record of re-branding events and implementing strategies that doubled event participation. Claire made events that were breaking even or losing money highly profitable by increasing event participation and securing sponsorship from global brands.