With graduation ceremonies cancelled, Temasek Polytechnic students hold a virtual one in Minecraft

Graduation ceremonies are important celebratory events to mark a milestone in one’s road in academia, but what’s probably more important right now is keeping safe and alive during a deadly global pandemic. 

It’s been a disheartening decision, but 32,500 students across all polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education will not be receiving their diplomas, certificates and transcripts in a grand graduation ceremony. Instead, they’ll just have to make do with receiving their academic documents through the mail. 

Originally scheduled to take place in May and July, the schools have cancelled the ceremonies outright (instead of postponing them) to be in line with the Government’s heightened safe distancing measures during the coronavirus outbreak. 

While some graduating expressed their disappointment with Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung, others found an outlet through… Minecraft. No, really. A student from Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Business might not be receiving his Diploma in Communications and Media Management on stage, but he sure can get his fellow graduates together online for a virtual ceremony in a sandbox video game. 

For non-gamers and non-parents, Minecraft is a highly popular video game among kids (and quite a lot of adults too) where players inhabit a world made of elemental blocks. These blocks can be extracted for raw material and crafted into tools or structures — even huge structures like buildings, mountains and massive sculptures. 

The video uploaded on YouTube by Temasek Polytechnic student by the name of Ethan showcased just how elaborate the in-game graduation ceremony was crafted, complete with a giant auditorium, stage, lighting systems and fireworks display. This was done through the game’s Creative mode, where players have access to all the resources in the game to build whatever they wanted. 

It was the setting for a jokey graduation — Ethan and several friends met up in the server and walked the blocky stage to receive their digital certificates. After the introductory speech, of course. 

It wouldn't be the first time a graduation ceremony was held in Minecraft during a lockdown climate. Last month, a bunch of Japanese students who were also unable to attend their graduation built their school's assembly hall in the game for their own digital ceremony. 

As for Ethan and gang's own take on the idea, this would definitely be one of the “better ideas to celebrate the occasion” that Minister Ong encouraged graduating students to have. 

ilyas@asiaone.com