Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt on his way into the auditorium together with Archbishop Antje Jackelén on the left and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Coco Norén on the right. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.

2022-05-31

Double Doctoral Degree Conferment ceremonies in May

On 18 and 25 May, it was finally time for the Doctoral Degree Conferment ceremony in the auditorium, after a long break due to the pandemic. The winter’s postponed graduation ceremony took place on 18 May and then one week later, on 25 May, it was time for the spring ceremony.

In 2020, the spring ceremony was cancelled, as was the winter ceremony in 2021, and in May 2021 a Covid-adapted spring ceremony was held remotely. One year later, it was time to resume the tradition of doctoral students from all faculties gathering together in the university auditorium.

A total of 252 doctoral students received their PhDs at the two ceremonies.

Julia Aulin defended her doctoral thesis in medicine one year ago. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.

“It was a wonderful feeling. I defended my dissertation in the middle of the Covid pandemic when many people of my age still weren’t vaccinated. Now it’s finally possible to celebrate properly,” says Julia Aulin, who defended her doctoral thesis in medicine one year ago.

Father and daughter

She was among the 120 doctoral students of various ages who were awarded their PhDs on 25 May. On the same occasion, 84 jubilee doctors were also celebrated, 46 of whom were present. Jubilee doctor Jonas Jonson, clad in his doctor’s hat and robes, attended with his daughter Karin Rubenson, who also graduated the same day.

“It feels fun and celebratory to do this, especially at the same time as my daughter,” he remarked.

Jubilee doctor Jonas Jonson and his daughter Karin Rubenson are both doctors of the Faculty of Theology. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.

Father and daughter are both doctors of the Faculty of Theology, albeit in different subject areas, and it happened to be exactly 50 years between their graduations.

“I defended my thesis one year ago and was actually scheduled to graduate in January, so it was thanks to the pandemic that we got to celebrate this together,” said Karin Rubenson.

Long research career

Another jubilee doctor is Sten-Magnus Aquilonius, professor emeritus of neurology. He remained at Uppsala University after completing his PhD in 1972 and has a long research career behind him. In the autumn, he published his autobiography “Längs drömstigen” (Along the Trail of Dreams) to very favourable reviews.

Sten-Magnus Aquilonius, professor emeritus of neurology, remained at Uppsala University after completing his PhD in 1972. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.

How does it feel to be a jubilee doctor?

“Actually, it’s not something I’ve earned myself, but it’s more the case that I’ve been lucky in life’s lottery. It feels great.”

Annica Hulth

The Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony

The Doctoral Degree Conferment ceremony is a recognition of those who have completed their doctoral degree during the year. It’s held twice a year, with a winter ceremony at the end of January and a spring ceremony in late May/early June.

Jubilee doctor (jubeldoktor) is a title awarded in a special graduation ceremony to people who were awarded title of doctor at a university or college 50 years earlier.

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The Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony
Doctoral hat under threat from the pandemic (News item 30 October 2020)

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