The 2023 Ceremony Week culminated in Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees in Technology - 53 new doctors received their hats

The ceremonial conferment of doctoral degrees in technology in 2023 took place on Friday 16 June. 

This year there were 146 new doctorates in total, and 53 new doctors took part in the conferment. The proportion of participants among all graduates - somewhat over a third - was slightly higher than in previous years. 48 of the new doctors were women.

Seven honorary doctorates were granted this year to distinguished persons in the fields of science, technology and society. The honorary doctors gave their speeches on Thursday in an open seminar. Eight jubilee doctors - those who have completed their doctorate 50 years earlier - are attending this year's ceremony. All together, there are 19 jubilee doctors.

The conferment is the most prestigious of academic celebrations. In the event, new doctors receive their hats and they are taken in as full members of the academic community. The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. In Finland, the first conferment ceremony specifically for doctors of technology took place in 1934.

The conferment ceremony of Aalto University's four schools of technology is held annually, although the covid pandemic forced a two-year pause in festivities before last year's big event. The schools take turns hosting the event. This year, the event is hosted by the School of Science.

You can see more photos and video highlights of the event on a separate Memories page.