The main event of the doctoral conferment ceremony of the University of Eastern Finland, i.e. the ceremonial conferment of degrees, took place in a festive atmosphere today. A total of 101 doctorates were conferred, and 12 of these were Honorary Doctorates conferred upon persons chosen by the faculties. The doctoral conferment ceremony is an academic rite of passage in which those who have completed their doctoral degree formally receive the insignia associated with this status. At the University of Eastern Finland, the insignia of the doctoral status are the doctoral hat and its emblem, and the doctoral diploma.
The degrees were conferred upon the promovendi by three Conferrers of Degrees. The Conferrers of Degrees are distinguished professors appointed by the three faculties operating on the Joensuu Campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The Conferrer of Degrees of the Philosophical Faculty was Professor Marjatta Palander and the Conferrer of Degrees of the Faculty of Science and Forestry was Professor Markku Hauta-Kasari. The Conferrer of Degrees of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies was Professor Matti Tolvanen. The Honorary Doctorates were conferred by Prof. Palander.
From among the promovendi, the Doctors’ Committee traditionally selects a Primus/Prima and an Ultimus/Ultima Doctor. These persons have written an outstanding doctoral thesis and they enjoy a specific honorary status in the conferment ceremony. Niilo Lahti, Doctor of Theology, was chosen as the Primus Doctor, and he was the first promovendi upon whom a doctorate was conferred in the ceremony. The Primus Doctor also answered a question posed by a professor in his discipline and thus, as a representative of the promovendi, demonstrated their scholarship. Niko Soininen, LLD, was chosen as the Ultimus Doctor, and he was the last promovendi upon a whom a doctorate was conferred in the ceremony. The Ultimus Doctor also gave a speech to the guests of honour in the banquet and ball.
Primus Doctor Niilo Lahti.
Ultimus Doctor Niko Soininen.
In Finland, the doctoral conferment ceremony tradition has been in use throughout the history of Finnish universities, and each university has also brought its own additions to the tradition. In doctoral conferment ceremonies, traditions play a key role, although the ceremonies also adapt to times.
The doctoral conferment ceremony is a way for the University of Eastern Finland to show its appreciation for persons who have completed a doctoral degree. For the doctorate holders, on the other hand, the doctoral conferment ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements.
For further information, please contact:
Doctoral Conferment Coordinator Kirsi Bykachev, kirsi.bykachev(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 50 363 48199