EAU normally holds at least one main convocation each year. In addition, particular affiliated campuses may hold their own ceremonies.

It is not necessary to attend a convocation or ceremony in order to graduate from EAU. The issuance of the degree certificate and transcript is considered to mark the act of graduation whether this is done at convocation or via postal mail. However, many graduates consider attending convocation to be a major occasion in their lives and the appropriate culmination of their hard work and achievement.

Convocation 2009 was held at the campus of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, by kind permission of the University authorities. Convocation 2010 was held at the campus of the University of Ghana. Photographs from the ceremonies can be viewed around the EAU website.

The degree certificate/diploma
The document attesting that the graduate holds an academic award is variously known as a diploma, degree certificate or testamur. A sample of the EAU diploma (design used from January 2010 onwards) is shown below. The image differs from the diploma in some details in order to preserve security.


Attending Convocation
All graduates of EAU who have not previously attended Convocation are welcome to attend, space permitting. Those who have already received their degree certificate but have not yet attended Convocation are welcome to have their certificate formally presented at the ceremony.

Graduates will receive their degree certificate from a senior officer of EAU. They may also receive their diploma supplement and/or transcript at the ceremony, or this may be issued to them at another time by their head of program.

It is usual for family and guests to be present at the ceremony. As well as graduates of EAU programs, a number of honorary degrees are presented at Convocation. Refreshments are served after the ceremony and there is also plenty of opportunity for photographs to be taken. A video recording of the ceremony is usually made and afterwards there will be opportunities to purchase the recording on DVD.

It is extremely important that those attending should make the necessary arrangements well in advance. All participants are responsible for their own costs and arrangements in respect of travel and accommodation, and for the additional costs that will usually be imposed for attendance at the ceremony to cover venue and administration charges. Details of these matters can be obtained from the senior officer of EAU concerned with the ceremony.

Financial obligations
No person may graduate from EAU who has outstanding debts to the University, including debts relating to attendance at Convocation. Only those who have settled all invoices in full may receive their degrees.

Academical dress
Academic dress is to be worn by all graduates at Convocation. There are two schemes of academic dress; the full scheme which is made by Harcourts of Toronto and available to purchase from them, and a simpler scheme which is used for convocations only and is also available to hire. Details of academical dress can be found in Regulation 8.

Beyond Convocation
We hope that our graduates will keep in touch with EAU through active involvement in the EAU Alumni Association. We are also interested to hear from graduates as to their future successes and the productive use they have made of their degrees.