Given the disruption caused by Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the University of Auckland’s School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) final-year students’ semester has been pushed out to end on 11 December 2020, with graduation now scheduled to be part of the wider University’s autumn graduation ceremony in 2021 (dates to be confirmed).
Current New Zealand Optometry Students Society (NZOSS) president Cindy Cheakhun said general sentiment among students is one of understanding. “Extending the year for part V students doesn’t significantly impact us in terms of our employment for next year as many part V students have already secured jobs for 2021. Although it’s not ideal to be held back a few months, it is what it is, and I think we all understand the need for the extended clinical time as many feel that we would not be fully competent otherwise.”
The part II – IV year is not extended. Students will finish lectures on 23 October and exams will be completed by 16 November.
