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

This year's event was hosted by the School of Science - see photo gallery of the event below
Promootiokulkue professori Peter Lundin johdolla
Professor, conferrer Peter Lund (middle), behind him honorary doctors Tuula Antola, Hubert Giraud and Minna Karstunen. Photo: Aalto University/Heli Sorjonen.

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.

Ceremonial Conferment pictures (Photos: Aalto University / Heli Sorjonen)

    Honorary doctor Kurt Mehlhorn at the Honorary Doctors' Talks

    Honorary doctor Kurt Mehlhorn at the Honorary Doctors' Talks

    Honorary doctor Tuula Antola at the Honorary Doctors' Talks

    Honorary doctor Tuula Antola at the Honorary Doctors' Talks

    Moment of reflection

    Moment of reflection

    Moment of reflection

    Moment of reflection

    Master of ceremony Arno Solin and Pauliina Ilmonen

    Masters of ceremony Arno Solin and Pauliina Ilmonen

    Procession entering Kaleva, Aalto leadership

    Procession entering Kaleva, Aalto leadership

    Audience in Kaleva

    Audience in Kaleva: Honorary doctors (first row), Jubilee doctors (second row), and new doctors to be conferred

    Procession exiting Kaleva: conferrer Pter Lund followed by honorary doctors

    Procession exiting Kaleva: conferrer Pter Lund followed by honorary doctors

    Master of ceremony Arno Solin congratulating new doctor Hanyang Gong

    Master of ceremony Arno Solin congratulating new doctor Yuxin Hou

    Honorary doctors and Aalto leadership

    Group picture of honorary doctors and Aalto leadership: (left to right) Dean Jouko Lampinen, Honorary Doctors Jyri Kosola, Arto Nurmikko, Hubert Girault, Tuula Antola, Ari Niemelä, Minna Karstunen and Kurt Mehlhorn, Provost Kristiina Mäkelä, Conferrer Peter Lund and President Ilkka Niemelä

    Dinner table 23

    People ready for dinner

    Dinner music by Ida Elina

    Dinner music by Ida Elina

    Masters of ceremony Pauliina Ilmonen and Arno Solin interviewing Jubilee doctor Iija Pietikäinen

    Masters of ceremony Pauliina Ilmonen and Arno Solin interviewing Jubilee doctor Iija Pietikäinen

    New Doctor Eija Raussi-Lehto giving her speech

    New Doctor Eija Raussi-Lehto giving her speech

    People dancing the first dance, Polonaise

    People dancing the first dance, Polonaise

    People dancing old ballroom dances

    People dancing old ballroom dances

    Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees in Technology 2023

    The Ceremonial Conferment is a festive event that has long-standing traditions.

    Kuva: Aalto-yliopisto, Heli Sorjonen

    Honorary doctors in technology 2023

    Aalto University has granted seven Honorary Doctorates of Science in the field of technology. The new honorary doctors have all made significant impact in science, technology and society.

    2023 Honorary Doctors

    Memories of 2023 Ceremonial Conferment

    Video and photos from the 2023 Ceremonial Conferment in the field of technology at the Aalto University

    Doctoral hats
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