Academic traditions

The most prestigious academic celebration is the doctoral conferment ceremony, where young doctors are ceremonially inducted into the university community. The doctoral conferment ceremony is based on centuries-old traditions and ceremonies of medieval European universities.

At the doctoral conferment ceremony young doctors receive symbols of their doctoral status: a hat and a sword. The three days of festivities begin with a sword whetting and include also a procession, an ecumenical service, a festive dinner, dancing and a sailing trip. According to tradition, the last speech of the conferment ceremony dinner is given at sunrise.

The first doctoral conferment ceremony at the University of Oulu took place in 1972. At that time, Einojuhani Rautavaara composed Cantus arcticus for the University of Oulu as the programme music for the ceremony. Since then, the performance of Cantus arcticus has become part of the University of Oulu's own tradition in doctoral conferment ceremony. The chair in which President Urho Kekkonen sat at the time of the first doctoral conferment is still used in the university's conferment ceremonies.

Doctoral studies culminate in a doctoral thesis defence event, where the doctoral thesis is examined. The doctoral examination is a public event and must be open to the public. In addition to the doctoral candidate, the opponent plays an important role. The official supervisor, the custos, is also present.

At the beginning of the event, the doctoral candidate gives a general presentation on the topic of the dissertation. The opponent then begins the examination of the thesis by asking questions, which the doctoral candidate answers in order to defend their work as well as possible.

After the defence, the doctoral candidate is congratulated outside the room. The doctoral defence party is a dinner party, dinner and speeches organised by the doctoral candidate in honour of the opponent.

The diploma conferment ceremony is a celebration of students who have graduated from the faculty, i.e. have received their bachelor's or master's degree. At the ceremony, the faculty presents the graduates with their diplomas. The programme may include presentations, speeches and coffee. Practices vary from one faculty to another.

In the new professors’ inaugural lectures, new professors give a brief and informative presentation of their discipline and research. At the University of Oulu, new professors’ inaugural lectures are held twice a year, in spring and autumn, at the Linnanmaa and Kontinkangas campuses. The inaugural lectures are based on a centuries-old tradition of appointing new professors to university's highest teaching post.

The opening ceremony of the academic year is held in the beginning of September. The opening ceremony begins with the entrance of the academic procession of the professors. The programme usually includes speeches, awarding the distinguished members of the university community, music and a coffee service at the end. The programme of the day also includes a separate ecumenical service. This tradition dates back to the important role played by the Christian church in the history of European universities. The opening ceremony of the academic year is often accompanied by an opening festival organised by the university’s student union.