At the Digital Communication Awards 2020 UPF was granted 2^nd prize in the “Covid-19: Events & Online Broadcasts” category for the Class of 2020 party, held on 3 July last on the Poblenou campus and broadcast live on the University website.

The competition, this year in its 10^th edition, acknowledges digital and online projects worldwide promoted by all types of organizations: public institutions, companies, associations, NGOs... The winners in the various categories include institutions such as the UK Ministry of Justice, Audi, Nestlé, Unilever, Vodafone, Deutsche Bank, Facebook, DHL and Toyota.

The award is in recognition of the commitment by the University to create an alternative, innovative event to the traditional on-campus graduation ceremony to bid farewell to students who completed their studies in the best possible manner, despite the limitations imposed by covid-19.

The award is in recognition of the commitment by the University to create an alternative, innovative event to the traditional on-campus graduation ceremony to bid farewell to students who completed their studies in the best possible manner, despite the limitations imposed by covid-19.

It was decided to produce a live TV show broadcast from the main set of Poblenou campus, with the highest possible participation by students, in person (several bachelor’s degree students representing different faculties and schools of the University, and student representatives of master’s and doctoral degrees) and online (via social networks). The novel format allowed the event to take place informally, distancing itself from the traditional ceremony held in person, and brought an element of surprise to the target audience.

The party was presented by Òscar Dalmau, communicator, and Maria Rovira, comedian, writer and co-presenter of the Catalunya Ràdio programme Estat de Gràcia, both alumni of Audiovisual Communication at UPF. The start of the virtual party included a speech by Jaume Casals, UPF rector, recorded in the patio of the Roger de Llúria building on Ciutadella campus, the traditional venue for the graduation ceremony. Mònica Terribas, a professor at the Department of Communication and director and host of El matí de Catalunya Ràdio was another “guest” to join the party in person, along with the students. She was given the task of addressing all the students live in an emotional speech.

Interviews, live music, commemorative video and balloon release

Throughout the virtual party, which was accompanied by live music by Old Shanela, the presenters interviewed the students who went up on stage in groups. In between, videocongratulations from various members of the teaching and research staff and administration and service staff were displayed, as well as from various campus services, which had already been shared on the
party website.

The different items constituting the graduation kit which the students who had signed up had received at home previously, included a cardboard champagne glass, the graduation sash, two balloons and a card on which to write a wish, all of which served as a thread throughout the hour of the broadcast.

In the last part, a commemorative video was shown in which several final year students talk about what their arrival at UPF was like, what their day to day was like, the Erasmus periods they have spent, what they think of the University campuses, what they have missed during their studies, and how to face up to the future, among other things.

The Class of 2020 Party ended with all those present on stage releasing their wishes written on cards tied to balloons, from outside the Poblenou campus, in the middle of Gutenberg Square.

The event was previously completed by a campaign to create an atmosphere among the students. A website was created specifically for the party, with an attractive, novel design that served to share content in the run up to the programme: a special video of the UPF Choir rendering Gaudeamus Igitur, videocongratulations from the members of the PAS, PDI and campus service workers, a digital kit for sharing on social networks...

An audience of some 6,000 people from 25 different countries

The party attracted an estimated audience of 6,000. Most of the audience came from Spain (90.6%), followed by the US (1.9%), Colombia (0.97%), Italy (0.66%), Germany (0.64% ), France (0.61), Mexico (0.5%) and the UK (0.4%). There were also some spectators in the UAE, Canada, Russia and South Africa, among others, making a total of 25 different countries.