Class of 2021 with SOVS teaching staff at the pre-graduation celebration

After a nine-month wait, Auckland University’s School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) class of 2021 finally celebrated their graduation.

Now working and residing in all corners of New Zealand, the 2021 graduates returned to Auckland to mingle with SOVS staff, family and friends at the Grafton Campus Atrium before joining the official university-wide graduation ceremony at Auckland’s Spark Arena later that evening.

Dr Andrew Collins, head of SOVS, welcomed everyone and congratulated the graduates. Reflecting on the continuous disruption faced by the former students during their tenure, he said he was truly impressed by their commendable achievement and thanked staff and families for their invaluable support.

The 2021 Anna Pritchard Memorial Cup for Optical Dispensing was presented to Anna Xiong, while Jason Shen was awarded the Excellence in Clinical Optometry Prize. The prestigious Dean’s Medal was presented to Gabriel Lobo for his outstanding contribution to the faculty over the duration of the programme.