In the face of school and college closures nationwide due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), several meaningful milestones, such as graduation, have been postponed indefinitely.

A university in Japan found a way to conduct their graduation ceremonies without  violating social distancing rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Business Breakthrough University (BBT University) held a virtual graduation ceremony on March 28 at the Hotel Grand Palace, in Chiyoda, Tokyo, utilizing "newme" robots that allowed students to remotely receive their diplomas as digital “avatars” of themselves.

The “newme” robots developed by All Nippon Airways Holdings (ANA) featured four wheels which operated as legs, arms, and tablets for faces.

"newme" robots receive diplomas on behalf of graduating students. (BBT)

The robots were remotely operated by four graduates from from two departments, while the rest of the graduates took part in the ceremony via the video call application Zoom and sent live comments to voice the traditional graduation sentiments throughout the event.

BBT graduation participants comment via Zoom. (BBT)

Upon announcing the name of a graduating student, their face would appear on the tablet of the robot, which was wearing a BBT graduation gown and hat, enabling them to receive the diplomas from president of the university, Omae Kenichi, on behalf of the graduates.

"newme" robots receive diplomas on behalf of graduating students. (BBT)

“While new coronavirus measures are required, the introduction of avatars can realise a warm online graduation ceremony. We hope this initiative will be helpful to educational institutions who are having difficulty holding graduation ceremonies and entrance ceremonies,” said the Dean of Global Business Administration at BBT, Shugo Yanaka, who initiated the idea of hosting a virtual ceremony with avatars.

Dean of Global Business Administration at BBT, Shugo Yanaka. (BBT)