News

Honorary Doctorate surprised at Ceremonial Conferment

Hans Niemantsverdriet from Holland was awarded an honorary doctorate at a joint ceremonial conferment of Doctoral Degrees.
Hans Niemantsverdriet, Professor, Eindhoven University of Technology, Holland

He is professor of Physical Chemistry of Surfaces at Eindhoven University of Technology

‘The award of an honorary doctorate from such a prestigious institution as Aalto University is an exceptional honour. I was extremely happy and touched when I heard the news,’ said Professor Niemantsverdriet.

Professor Niemantsverdriet is the chairperson of Aalto University School of Chemical Technology’s scientific research group. He had a significant role in the development of the school and in shaping its strategic action plan.

His family and colleagues were also pleased for him. He got a surprise as soon as he arrived in Finland as his three daughters and their friends had travelled in secret in order to surprise him.

‘The surprise was complete because my daughters had agreed with the organisers to take part in all the celebrations, even dinner. It was really wonderful to share one of the high points of my life with my family,’ said a delighted Professor Niemantsverdriet.

The surprises did not end there, as three of Professor Niemantsverdriet’s close colleagues also took part in the ceremony as well as the president and one of the vice-presidents from his own university. In addition, the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Helsinki, Henk Swarttouw, also participated in the ceremony.

‘And all this for one simple professor.  I am really grateful,’ enthused Professor Niemantsverdriet.

The schools of technology celebrated the 80th anniversary of conferment ceremonies in technology at Otaniemi on 10 October 2014. At the ceremony, 346 Doctorates of Technology and ten honorary doctorates were conferred. This is the second time the schools of technology have organised a joint ceremony to confer doctoral degrees. The participating schools were the School of Engineering, the School of Chemical Technology, the School of Science and the School of Electrical Engineering.

  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

Yrjö Sotamaa receives Frontier Design Prize 2023
Awards and Recognition Published:

Aalto University Professor Emeritus Yrjö Sotamaa awarded major design prize in China

The Frontier Design Prize 2023 was awarded to the former long-time rector of the University of Art and Design Helsinki.
Dean's Impact Award, School of Business
Awards and Recognition Published:

The Dean also rewards School of Business students for other merits besides excellent grades

The aim of the new Dean’s Impact Award is to show our appreciation for promoting sustainable development or action in line with Aalto’s values
Lennart Engels, Karolin Kull, Ágnes László, Julia Postrzech and Valenti Soler won the Habitare Design competition 2023.
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art, Studies, University Published:

Team of Interior Architecture and Contemporary Design students won the Habitare Design competition 2023

The Habitare Design Competition is intended for students studying art, design, and architecture in Finland. This year ‘s theme of the competition was “Tools for togetherness”, which required the teams to design and implement new types of tools to promote togetherness and interaction on a human scale or more widely.
Päivi Hurttia
Awards and Recognition Published:

The MBA Alum of the Year Found Meaning Challenges in the Humanitarian Field – “I Have a Talent for Managing Crises”

The MBA Alum of the Year 2023 award has been granted to Päivi Hurttia who has pursued a career in journalism and communications, among other things. Hurttia recently returned from Ethiopia where she spent a year working at the International Committee of the Red Cross, ensuring the safety of humanitarian assistance to all regions.