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 doctorate holders, on the other hand, the Ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements. In the Doctoral Conferment Ceremonies also honorary doctorates are conferred upon scientifically or socially distinguished persons representing the university's disciplines.
In the Doctoral Conferment Ceremony the doctors get the right to carry the doctoral regalia, which at the University of Eastern Finland comprise the doctoral hat, the doctoral emblem used by all doctors, and the doctoral diploma. In addition to the actual Doctoral Conferment Ceremony, the three-day festivities include a procession, ecumenical thanksgiving service, banquet and ball as well as cruise with lunch.
The degree ceremony emphasizes the high value of education. In the Finnish language, the word for the Ceremonial Conferment of Degrees is "promootio" from the Latin "promovere", to move forwards, to make an advance, to promote. Many traditions of the Finnish academic community today are deeply rooted in the history of the Academia Aboensis, the university founded in Turku in 1640 by the Swedish Queen Christina. The first degree ceremony of Finland was held in 1643 when ten Candidates of Philosophy were awarded the Master's degree. This tradition, now largely forgotten elsewhere, still flourishes in Finland in all its central features.
The next doctoral conferment ceremonies of the University of Eastern Finland will be organised in Joensuu on 6-8 June, 2024, and in Kuopio on 5-7 June, 2025. Registration for those events will be opened at the end of the previous year, please follow the UEF communication channels.
News
Insignias of the doctoral status
Doctoral hat
At the University of Eastern Finland, the doctoral regalia comprise the doctoral hat, the doctoral emblem used by all doctors, and the doctoral diploma. Doctors should purchase their own hat. The hats are made by hand according to the doctor's individual measurements, thus it is important to order the hat in good time before the conferment ceremony. You can find further information on how to purchase the hat published in the Practical instructions section.
The hat has been one part of the doctoral insignia since the Middle Ages. It is a symbol of scholarship and freedom of research. In the conferment ceremonies of the University of Eastern Finland, the colour of hat is black in all other fields except for medicine and dentistry (dark green), theology (purple), and law (dark red).
Doctoral emblem
The UEF's doctoral emblem represents torch-bearers of the world of science. According to Visual Designer Jussi Jokinen "doctors are the torch-bearers of the world of science. After having their doctoral diplomas conferred upon them, they take their knowledge further. The torch also symbolises the responsibility and status of doctors in a cultural continuum". The doctoral emblem of the University of Eastern Finland will be used in the doctoral hat, in doctoral diplomas and diploma boxes, as well as in various contexts in doctoral conferment ceremonies.
Conferment Book (matrikkeli)
The conferment book is published before the ceremonies. It includes short CVs and portrait photographs of the doctors and honorary doctors.
Conferrer of Degrees (promoottori)
Each faculty has chosen one of the senior professors to act as the Conferrer of Degrees.
Head Marshal (yliairut)
Head Marshal trains and supervises the marshals working in the Degree Ceremony.
Honorary Doctor (kunniatohtori)
Doctor honoris causa. The university honours some distinguished scientists or influential members of society with the award of an Honorary Doctorate.
Marshals (airuet)
Students or university employees who assist the Master of Ceremonies and the Head Marshal during the ceremonies.
Master of Ceremonies (juhlamenojen ohjaaja)
Professor conducting the ceremonies.
Primus or Prima
The first young doctor whose degree is conferred in the ceremony. Primus – or Prima – is usually chosen according to his/her excellent merits in the field of research.
Promovendi
The Latin name for the doctors who will be awarded degrees in this ceremony.
Ultimus or Ultima
The second young doctor who receives special attention during the ceremonies. Ultimus – or Ultima – is usually chosen according to his/her outstanding merits in the field of teaching or social activities.
Honorary Doctors
An Honorary Doctorate is the highest distinction the university may confer upon a person. In Doctoral Conferment Ceremony 2022 the three faculties operating on the Kuopio Campus have selected 13 scientifically or socially distinguished persons upon whom an Honorary Doctorate will be conferred.
Conferment Ceremony on Kuopio Campus 2022
Faculty of Science and Forestry
- Professor Alan J. Grodzinsky, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Professor Erkki Somersalo, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Secretary General Petteri Taalas, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Professor Ralf Zimmermann, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
Faculty of Health Sciences
- Professor Kim L.R. Brouwer, Honorary Doctor in Pharmacy
- Professor Anne Marie Rafferty, Honorary Doctor in Health Sciences
- Professor Gabriël JE Rinkel, Honorary Doctor in Medicine
- Dance artist, professor Jorma Uotinen, Honorary Doctor in Health Sciences
- Professor Pekka Vallittu, Honorary Doctor in Dentistry
- Professor Masayuki Yamamoto, Honorary Doctor in Medicine
Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
- Director General, vuorineuvos (a Finnish honorary title) Mikko Helander, Honorary Doctor in Business Studies
- Director Patricia Flatley Brennan, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Professor Zhao Fang, Honorary Doctor in Social Sciences
Conferment Ceremony on Joensuu Campus 2019
Philosophical Faculty
- Rock Musician Ismo Alanko, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Distinguished Professor Emeritus Steven Feld, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Emeritus Bishop Wille Riekkinen, Honorary Doctor in Theology
- Professor Shirley Simon, Honorary Doctor in Educational Sciences
Faculty of Science and Forestry
- Rector Hubert Hasenauer, Honorary Doctor in Forestry and Agriculture
- Professor Ülo Niinemets, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Professor Alain Tremeau, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
- Kauppaneuvos Harri Broman, Honorary Doctor in Business Studies
- Governor Erkki Liikanen, Honorary Doctor in Social Sciences
- Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman Maija Sakslin, Honorary Doctor in Law
- Professor Beverley Skeggs, Honorary Doctor in Social Sciences
- Emeritus Professor Leo Suni, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
Conferment Ceremony on Kuopio Campus 2015
Faculty of Science and Forestry
- Professor Richard C. Flagan, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Professor Christian McDonald Langton, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Teollisuusneuvos Heikki Väänänen, Honorary Doctor in Agriculture and Forestry
Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
- Professor Staffan Höjer, Honorary Doctor in Social Sciences
- Dr Virginia K. Saba, Honorary Doctor in Health Sciences
- Professor Robyn Thomas, Honorary Doctor in Economics and Business Administration
Faculty of Health Sciences
- Professor Tamás Freund, Honorary Doctor in Medicine
- Professor Göran K. Hansson, Honorary Doctor in Medicine
- Academy Professor Sirpa Jalkanen, Honorary Doctor in Medicine
- Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President of the European Commission, Honorary Doctor in Philosophy
- Forensic Dentist Helena Ranta, Honorary Doctor in Dentistry
- Professor Graham Russell, Honorary Doctor in Pharmacy
Conferment Ceremony on Joensuu Campus 2014
Philosophical Faculty
- Petra Engelbrecht
- Kersti Juva
- Bernd Kortmann
- Miia Rannikmäe
- Alice-Mary Talbot
Faculty of Science and Forestry
- Zhores I. Alferov
- Tuomo Kauranne
- Sergey P. Tunik
Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
- Eiki Berg
- Reijo Karhinen
- Lauri Tarasti
- Klaus Töpfer
Conferment ceremony 2009
Faculty of Bioscience
- Eero Helle, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Hannele Pokka, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Humanities
- Mikko Savolainen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Aili Nenola, Filosofian Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Education
- Lea Pulkkinen, Doctor of Education H.C.
- Marlene Scardamalia, Doctor of Education H.C.
Faculty of Law, Economics and Business Administration
- Juhani Meriläinen, Doctor of Administrative Sciences H.C.
- Ma Keqing, Doctor of Economics and Business Administration H.C.
Faculty of Science
- Erkko Kajander, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Leon Petrosyan, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Forest Sciences
- Pentti Hakkila, Doctor of Agriculture and Forestry H.C.
Faculty of Theology
- Martin Tamcke, Doctor of Theology H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences and Regional Studies
- Devorah Kalekin-Fishman, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 2004
Faculty of Humanities
- Anna-Leena Siikala, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Tuomo Tuomi, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Education
- Eeva Ahtisaari, Doctor of Education H.C.
- Patrick James Dillon, Doctor of Education H.C.
Faculty of Science
- Toshimitsu Asakura, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Leena Peltonen-Palotie, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Forest Sciences
- Paavo Lipponen, Doctor of Agriculture and Forestry H.C.
- Birger Solberg, Doctor of Agriculture and Forestry H.C.
Faculty of Theology
- Leo Archbishop, Doctor of Theology H.C.
- Jukka Paarma, Doctor of Theology H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Jean Guichard, Doctor of Psychology H.C.
- Andrew Harvey, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 1999
Faculty of Humanities
- Gustav Björkstrand, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Peter Katjavivi, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Pekka Laaksonen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Education
- Nina Predtechenskaya, Doctor of Education H.C.
- Isto Ruoppila, Doctor of Education H.C.
Faculty of Science
- Olli Lehto, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Martti Mäenpää, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Forest Sciences
- Matti Korhonen, Doctor of Agriculture and Forestry H.C.
- Sune Linder, Doctor of Agriculture and Forestry H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Pierre Bourdieu, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
- Anne Buttimer, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Pekka Hallberg, Doctor of Administrative Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 1989
Faculty of Humanities
- Jean-Luc Moreau, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Pertti Virtaranta, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Education
- Helmut Breuer, Doctor of Education H.C.
- Karl-Gustaf Stukát, Doctor of Education H.C.
Faculty of Science
- Kalervo Laurikainen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Rauno Ruuhijärvi, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Forest Sciences
- Aarne Nyyssönen, Doctor of Agriculture and Forestry H.C.
- Juhan Ross, Doctor of Agriculture and Forestry H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Eino Karhu, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
- Michael Young, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 1979
- Aleksei Zerbin, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Matti Kuusi, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Urho Kekkonen, Doctor of Education H.C.
- Esa Timonen, Doctor of Education H.C.
- Torsten Husén, Doctor of Education H.C.
- Helge Gyllenberg, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Ilmari Hustich, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Conferment ceremony 2010
Honorary Doctors of the University of Kuopio
- Martti Ahtisaari, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
- Ritva-Liisa Pohjalainen, Doctor of Economy and Business Administration H.C.
- Pekka Puska, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences
- John F. Martin, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Ole Petter Ottersen, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
Faculty of Pharmacy
- Per Artursson, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
- Liisa Turakka, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
Faculty of Business and Information Technology
- Silvia Gherardi, Doctor of Economy and Business Administration H.C.
- Erkki Oja, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Ilkka Virtanen, Doctor of Economy and Business Administration H.C.
Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Ernst B. Hunziker, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Juhani Ruotsalainen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Medicine
- Rudolph Tanzi, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Kai Simons, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Sirkka Lauri, Doctor of Health Sciences H.C.
- Steven Shardlow, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 2005
A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences
- Petteri Karttunen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Ian Wilmut, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Pharmacy
- Hans-Dieter Höltje, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
- Masahiko Negishi, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
Faculty of Business and Information Technology
- Jean-Pierre Babary, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Patrick J. Dowling, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Erkki Jatila, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Jouko Tuomisto, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Medicine
- Riitta Hari, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Alice H. Lichtenstein, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Vamik D. Volkan, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Eberhard J. C. Dülfer, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
- Päivi Setälä, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
- Alan Williams, Doctor of Health Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 2000
A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences
- Claudio Cuello, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Jorma Kalevi Huuhtanen, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
Faculty of Pharmacy
- Francis C. Szoka, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
- Hannu Tapani Turakka, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Jay van Huizen Huner, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Jorma Rantanen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Herman P. Schwan, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Medicine
- Ezio Giacobini, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Vincent C. Hascall Jr., Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Jussi Kalervo Huttunen, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Elina Haavio-Mannila, Doctor of Health Sciences H.C.
- Claus Mühlfeld, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 1996
Faculty of Pharmacy
- John Doull, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
- Valentino J. Stella, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Brian Flannigan, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- George Hanek, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Medicine
- Konrad T. Beyreuther, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Robert Michael Blaese, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Martti Juhani Karvonen, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- László Módis, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Lester Packer, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
- Jouni Jorma Juhani Uitto, Doctor of Medicine H.C.
Faculty of Dental Science
- Edvitar Leibur, Doctor of Dental Science H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Mary E. Duffy, Doctor of Community Health H.C.
- Oswald Hahn, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
- Kauko Aarno Artturi Heuru, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 1991
Faculty of Pharmacy
- Fritz Müller, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
- Matti Kustaa Paasonen, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
Faculty of Dental Science
- Franz Sutter, Doctor of Dental Science H.C.
- Donald William Warren, Doctor of Dental Science H.C.
Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Jaak Järv, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Benjamin Liu, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Viljo Johannes Orpana, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
Faculty of Medicine
- Niilo Hallman, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Arisztid G.B. Kovach, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Geoffrey Arthur Rose, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Piero Tosi, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Olli Mikko Castrén, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
- Madeleine M. Leininger, Doctor of Community Health H.C.
- Mikko Ilmari Niemi, Doctor of Community Health H.C.
- Jürgen Zerche, Doctor of Social Sciences H.C.
Conferment ceremony 1982
- Henry W. Blackburn, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Francesco di Castri, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Seymor Stanley Cohen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Katri-Helena Eskelinen, Doctor of Community Health H.C.
- Béla Flerkó, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Hugh H. Fudenberg, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Leif Arne Heloe, Doctor of Dental Science H.C.
- Inkeri Kallela (s. Häkkinen), Doctor of Community Health H.C.
- Paavo Pauli Kallio, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Ewout (Eppo) van der Kleinj, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
- Kaarlo Juhani Koskinen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Vsevolod E. Kovshilo, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Cornelius A. Salemink, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
- Arnold Spiegel, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Ulf Ludvig Sundqvist, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Johannes Virolainen, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
Conferment ceremony 1978
- Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Geoffrey J. Dutton, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- George Neil Jenkins, Doctor of Dental Science H.C.
- Veli Erkki Krogerus, Doctor of Pharmacy H.C.
- Eino Luukkonen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Leo Kaarlo Noro, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Jaakko Mauri Numminen, Doctor of Philosophy H.C.
- Niilo Natanael Pesonen, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Zbynek Pisa, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Pentti Matti Rautaharju, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
- Seppo Ilmari Sipilä, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery H.C.
Further information about conferment ceremony
For matters concerning the Doctoral Conferment Ceremony, you can contact the e-mail address promootio@uef.fi.