Tampere University confers 244 doctorates and 14 honorary doctorates at its first Conferment Ceremony

The ceremonial conferment of doctoral degrees is the most prestigious academic celebration and a tradition that spans several centuries. The purpose of the conferment ceremony is to highlight the value of and respect for research and education. It is also a unique way to celebrate academic achievements.

The new multidisciplinary Tampere University was established by the merger of the former University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology at the beginning of 2019.

“The protocol of the first Conferment of Doctoral Degrees of the new university is based on recognising and integrating the traditions of the predecessor universities. This is reflected in the programme of the events and in the practices related to the hat, the emblems and the sword,” says Professor Minna Kellomäki, chair of the committee organising the conferment ceremony.

The events of the Conferment of Doctoral Degrees are arranged over three days on 12–14 August. The main event, the Conferment Ceremony, takes place at Tampere Hall at noon on Saturday 13 August. At the Conferment Ceremony, doctors receive the doctoral hat as a symbol of academic freedom and – with the exception of Doctors of Science in Technology or Architecture, Doctors of Philosophy representing the field of technology, and honorary doctors – the doctoral sword. After the Conferment Ceremony, the doctors and honorary doctors form a procession to walk to Tampere Cathedral for a service.

A total of 244 doctors, who have earned their degree at the new Tampere University or its predecessors, will be conferred at the all faculties’ joint Conferment Ceremony. The first honorary doctors of the new Tampere University will also be inaugurated.

The title of Honorary Doctor is the highest recognition that a university can award. The new Tampere University has invited persons from Finland and abroad to accept honorary doctorates in recognition of excellence in fields represented at the University and other exceptional scientific, artistic or social merits. In the invitations of Honorary Doctors to the new University’s first doctoral conferment, the focus has also been on work conducted at the interfaces of scientific disciplines.

The 14 honorary doctors, who were invited by the University jointly, are:

Ana Claudia Arias, Professor of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, United States

Ban Ki-Moon, Chairman of Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, Secretary-General of the United Nations 2007–2016

Chun Wei Choo, Professor at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Canada

Bernard Cova, Senior Professor of Marketing, Kedge Business School, France

Klaske Havik, Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands

Rauno Ihalainen, Hospital Councellor, Director of Pirkanmaa Hospital District 1995–2019

Timothy Ingold, Professor Emeritus of Social Anthropology, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Jarmo Kekäläinen, General Manager, Columbus Blue Jackets, United States

Elina Knihtilä, actor, Professor of Acting, Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki

Risto Käkelä, teollisuusneuvos, founder of Avant Tecno Oy

Mari Pantsar, Director, Sustainability Solutions, Sitra

Ann Phoenix, Professor of Psychosocial Studies, Institute of Education at University College London, United Kingdom

Kimmo Pietiläinen, non-fiction writer, translator and publisher, founder of Terra Cognita Oy

E.M.J. (Sabeth) Verpoorte, Professor at Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

 

More information on the events during the Conferment of Doctoral Degrees on the Conferment 2022 webpages.