British startup offers 'virtual graduations' to US universities

British tech startup StageClip is in active discussions with over 250 American universities to facilitate 'virtual graduations' in light of many in-person ceremonies having to be postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

Using a digital platform that has already been created, students will be able to record a to-camera message using their smartphones, tablets or laptops, as well as creating a custom slide with their name, degree, photo and a personal message.

The footage from all students is edited together to create a ceremony procession, which can be preceded by a welcome address or commencement speech given by prestigious guest speakers.

The ceremony is then streamed live for graduates, their families and friends via YouTube to create a celebratory communal event. Individual achievements will be recognised as each student is announced by name, before also receiving their recognition in an individual clip for sharing on social media and keeping forever.

For students in need of a gown and mortarboard, StageClip have also created a Snapchat augmented reality lens that places them in the attire, which is designed to also feature their university or college logo in the background. These clips can also be easily shared with friends and family around the world via Snapchat and other social media platforms. 

StageClip have previously used their technology to produce individual, live graduation clips for leading UK institutions, including the universities of Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as universities across the world such as Arizona State University in the US, the University of British Columbia in Canada, Victoria University in Australia and Grenoble Ecole de Management in France.

StageClip are also developing a version of the platform to provide a clip for UK school leavers, who are unable to celebrate their last day with friends, family and staff due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Rupert Forsythe, Founder and CEO at StageClip, commented: “We’ve been working with universities across the world for several years to give graduates individualised video clips of their recognition moment on stage for sharing straight after the ceremony.  We really wanted to use our technology to help keep the tradition alive in difficult times. By creating an individual, personal experience for each and every one of them which can be shared with friends and family, we wanted to ensure that graduates still received a gift of recognition from their institutions, and a celebration with their community of fellow students.”