UE forgoes face-to-face graduation rites in March

The University of the East (UE) has ruled out the conduct of face-to-face graduation rites in March amid the rising coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country.

UE also barred the conduct of in-campus toga pictorials "to ensure the safety protocols in this era of quarantines and lockdowns."

Earlier, UE President Ester Garcia, in an interview with The Dawn, said she is hopeful that there will be in-person graduation by the end of the School Year 2021-2022.

"I am hoping by the end of the next school year... When it is safe to do so as approved by the government," Garcia added.

The graduation in March will mark UE's third consecutive time holding virtual commencement rites following the online ceremonies in November 2020 and August 2021.