Wearing regalia for the first time a highlight for two of our staff

Harriet and Cres at Graduation

Staff members Cres Wells and Harriet Miranda have been at Unitec for 12 and 7 years respectively. This year they both decided it was time to experience their first Unitec graduation ceremony on stage, as a way of supporting our graduates. What they didn’t realise was that they would have the opportunity to wear graduation regalia. What was a spur of the moment decision to check out what happens at graduation turned out to be a highlight of the year for both Cres and Harriet.

Cres, a Payroll Administrator, graduated from the Technical Institute of the Philippines with a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering, but didn’t attend a graduation ceremony. When she moved to New Zealand she moved into business administration and hasn’t looked back. Last Wednesday’s graduation ceremony was her first opportunity to wear regalia, and she was excited to wear the colours that recognised her qualification.

“I didn’t attend a ceremony in the Philippines. It just wasn’t that common – it’s seen as a luxury and I couldn’t afford to go because I was working.”

“My daughter graduated last year so she’d experienced the excitement of wearing her regalia, and she was happy that I got to wear mine,”

Cres enjoyed the ceremony, particularly the emotion on the faces of the graduates and their families.

“I enjoyed the whole day – it’s so nice seeing all the graduates and their families looking so happy. Everyone is excited and has a glow!”

Harriet, who works in the Finance team, had a similar experience – she earned a degree in Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Bombay in India but didn’t attend a graduation ceremony as it wasn’t seen as a priority.

“None of my friends went to graduation. You got your degree in the post and put it in a frame, and that was it. There are millions of people graduating in India each year. Everyone gets a degree – no degree, no job. So with so many people graduating, you didn’t feel special.”

Both Cres and Harriet thoroughly enjoyed the Unitec graduation experience.

“With fewer numbers here, everyone can attend and it feels really special,” said Harriet.

Harriet and Cres reflected on the moment they put their regalia on, saying they were giggling as they made their way to the stage to stand with the other staff.

“We were reminiscing about finishing our own degrees. It’s a feeling of relief after all the hard work. When I was at the back of the stage, I could feel what the graduates were feeling. They’d put in all their effort and got the fruit of their hard work,” said Harriet.

Harriet encourages all staff to attend a graduation ceremony to experience the excitement of our students celebrating their success with whānau, friends and Unitec staff.

“If you’ve never been to a Unitec graduation, you should go to one. We’re lucky in New Zealand that graduation is such a great celebration and that staff get to wear regalia. Go for it, it’s a real eye-opener!”