This is the heartwarming moment a student's friends surprised her in hospital with their own graduation ceremony after she missed her big day with a head injury.

Footage shows the girls entering the hospital room and handing Mary Jane Plaze, 22, the medal and bouquet of flowers in Aklan province, the Philippines, on July 11.

Mary was hospitalised on June 27 following a freak accident when her head was struck by a rock which had been hurled from a bridge into in their van. The man fled the scene and is still being hunted by the police.

The student had to undergo surgery for her head injury which caused her to miss her graduation after obtaining her degree in Education with honours.

Mary broke down in tears with emotion when she saw her friends arriving for their own personal DIY gradation ceremony.

She said: 'This really touched me. My friends are so special. I will remember this graduation for the rest of my life.'

Friend Kathrine Licerio added: ‘We were relieved that she survived the operation. We are so proud of our Cum Laude friend.'

The girls also took Mary's graduation suit to the hospital so she could take pictures of their special event.

Kathrine added: ‘Even if she could not attend the ceremony with us, our small gathering was still memorable and sweet. I hope we made her happy.'

The youngster is expected to be discharged from the hospital by the end of July.