Kathmandu Every time she looked at photos of convocation of her uncles, dad, or elder sibling hung on the walls of her house, Alisha Shrestha 'wondered when I would be able to take a photo like that'. That day finally came for the graduate of Bachelor of Fashion Design (BFD) from Namuna College of Fashion Technology on March 14, 2015 as she became a part of the seventh convocation of Purbanchal University (PU), held in Biratnagar. Shrestha and her friends planned weeks before for the convocation. Donning sari and looking their best, they attended the event. After the ceremony, she took a photo like that of her other family members. 'I was excited about the graduation ceremony as we had to go to Biratnagar. At the venue it was a proud and happy moment as that happiness was evident on my parents’ face too,' she expressed about the event. It’s not only Shrestha, every student wishes to be a part of their university's convocation day — be it after completing a bachelor's degree, master's level or P hD. In his/her best attire, donning black coat, along with hat (for some) and certificate in your hands to prove that you have graduated, Convocation Day is a proudest moment in every student's life. Exciting day Convocation or graduation ceremonies of different universities of Nepal are held at different time and venues, once in a year. And it is a day full of activities and emotions. 'I was nervous as well as thrilled at the same time,' Nitisha Subba Wanem, a recent BFA graduate from Kathmandu University, School of Arts, Centre for Art and Design (KU Art+Design) shared of her graduation day adding, 'We all were excited for the graduation ceremony. We also knew that this would be our last time together being a college student. This made us feel proud as well as somewhat bitter.' This day is special for the students. To make it memorable, they leave no stone unturned —especially how they look. Men prefer to wear a suit or daura suruwal while women opt for sari. Nab Raj Bhatt graduate of BE in Civil from School of Engineering, Pokhara University, chose a formal three-piece suit for the day. Bhatt, who prepared the suit weeks before the ceremony expressed, 'As I have completed my graduation, I will need a formal wear so that I can be presentable for my job interviews. So, I bought it and I wore it first on my graduation ceremony.' It became more memorable as he got to meet his idol Rastra Kavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire who was one of the guests of the ceremony, and listen to his poems. Memorable snapshots As Convocation Day is an important day in students' life; they happily capture those moments in photographs. Some still go to photo studios while some manage themselves. Though most students own cameras, some graduates visit photo studios to take a picture-perfect snap of their life in the black robe holding the certificate. Bhatt is one of them. 'It was fun going to the studio with friends and taking photo with the gown and the certificate. I will cherish that moment forever,' he shared. Sabindra Maharjan, Statistical Officer at Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), who is currently heading the CBS Office in Jumla, has MSc in Mathematics from Central Department of Mathematics, Tribhuvan University (TU). Post convocation ceremony held in 2013, he didn’t go to a studio to shoot photographs. 'I didn't feel like I have to go to the studio,' shared Maharjan, who however has taken photos in the event venue for remembrance. Maharjan has memorable shots of his graduation ceremony held at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in 2013. They are different and were 'a hit on my Facebook as everyone enjoy watching them'. He recalled, 'On the football ground of the stadium, we all posed like goalkeepers at the goal post for the pictures. I also took photos with the army’s musical band, police standing for security and more.' Likewise, Subba Wanem did 'photo session in different poses and enjoyed the ceremony'. Charm of cap and robe Convocation is incomplete without the black robe and cap (for some levels). Artist Sujan Chitrakar, Academic Programme Coordinator of KU Art+Design shares that the gown is worn 'to show uniformity among the graduates and to let others know that the gown is only for those who have earned their degree'. 'Everyone — including guests and other people who are on the stage — wear the similar robes on the day of convocation, symbolising the students’ are now in equal status as the dignitaries,' he shared the robe’s meaning. And every student desires to throw their caps in the air after the convocation but not all can enjoy the privilege. Maharjan wanted it too but 'in TU there is no provision of cap for the graduates of Master's and Bachelor's levels. Students should be allowed to wear caps during the convocation of Master’s level as we don't get to put it on during the graduate ceremony of Bachelor’s level'.