RCSI has announced the postponement of the Conferring Ceremony for graduands from the School of Pharmacy (BSc, MPharm), School of Physiotherapy (BSc), and School of Postgraduate Studies (research awards MSc, MD, PhD), scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 24 November at the Convention Centre Dublin.

A conferring celebration will be rescheduled for 2022.

Given the growing concern about rising COVID-19 cases in Ireland and the emerging public health advice, the decision was made to prioritise the health and safety of every individual by mitigating the risk of large group gatherings.

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor and CEO of RCSI, said: "We understand this is deeply disappointing news for our graduands and their families. Since the beginning of this pandemic, RCSI's overriding priority has been the health and safety of our students and staff. Members of the RCSI community have frontline visibility of the healthcare and societal consequences of the escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe this action is necessary to protect the wellbeing of our graduands, many of them who now have frontline healthcare roles, as well as their families and guests."

Professor Ronan O'Connell, President of RCSI, said: "At this uncertain and challenging time we have made this difficult decision to play our part in curbing the spread of the virus."

Professor Hannah McGee, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, said: "Our students have likely faced many personal challenges and have shown great strength of resolve and perseverance in completing their studies in this most extraordinary of times – a time of great challenge and change but also one of great opportunity. We look forward to celebrating their great achievements in person in the future."

Queries relating to the graduation ceremony can be directed to conferrings@rcsi.ie.