Due to the restrictions on large gatherings of people arising from the foot and mouth crisis, Dublin City University has postponed the normal graduation ceremony due to take place this Saturday, 24 March 2001 and instead will broadcast the first ever virtual graduation on the internet.

Speaking about the graduation, Dr Pat Barker, Registrar explained why the University has taken this step. "In order to confer degrees legally we are obliged to hold a convocation ceremony but, because of the current foot and mouth crisis, we decided not to assemble the students at the university campus in Glasnevin."

Instead, the Chancellor, Dr Tom Hardiman, the President, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, the Registrar, Dr Pat Barker, the Assistant Registrar, Deans and Directors of Programmes will convene for a formal convocation ceremony – without students – which will be broadcast live at 11.00am on Saturday on the University’s website at http://www.dcu.ie/graduation.shtml

Of the 500 graduates who will receive degrees and diplomas, over 300 are students of the Faculty of Distance Education and 150 studied Information Technology.

"We are very disappointed not to be able to host an open ceremony at this time" said the President, Ferdinand von Prondzynski "especially as a large group are from Distance Education, but, we hope to hold a graduation ceremony for these students and their families in the future."